Death Toll Rises to 10 Following Toxic Gas Leak at Sitakunda Shipbreaking Yard
Photo Collected
The death toll from a toxic gas exposure incident at a shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram, has risen to 10 after another worker succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday evening. Idris Ali, 50, a native of Jamalpur, died while undergoing treatment at the National Hospital in Chattogram city, where he had been hospitalized since the accident occurred on August 14.
Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Fakhrul Islam confirmed the death, noting that Ali had been receiving intensive care for six days before passing away. His body was transported to his hometown of Jamalpur on Thursday for burial.
The tragedy unfolded at the Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Yard when workers were cutting into the ballast tank of the vessel MT Rasi. Initial reports indicated that nine workers died at the scene, while six others were hospitalized. Mohammad Faruk, Deputy General Manager of the National Hospital, stated that the facility has reported the death to the relevant health authorities.
In response to the incident, the Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board has suspended all operations at the Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling yard until further notice. Multiple committees have been formed to investigate the cause of the disaster.
Initial findings from an investigation committee formed by the Ministry of Industries suggested that hydrogen sulfide gas was the likely cause of death. However, when investigators inspected the vessel on Tuesday—four days after the accident—they did not detect hydrogen sulfide in the atmosphere. Ashraf Uddin, Assistant Director of the Chattogram Department of Environment, suggested the gas may have dissipated or dissolved into tidal water, and emphasized the need for further testing of the ship’s intact tanks. The investigation team, comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Industries, local administration, environmental experts, and the Department of Explosives, has collected samples of air, soil, and chemical residue for further analysis.
The Department of Environment has also penalized the shipyard, imposing a fine of 500,000 taka. Officials stated that the facility was operating despite its environmental clearance certificate having expired on August 12, two days before the fatal accident. The company has been ordered to pay the fine within seven working days and must keep the dismantling of MT Rasi suspended until its permits are renewed. Authorities are also pursuing legal action against the shipyard in court.
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