Operations suspended at Sitakunda shipbreaking yard following toxic gas leak that killed nine workers
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The Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association (BSBRA) has suspended all operations at the Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Yard in Sitakunda, Chittagong, for one week following a toxic gas incident that resulted in the deaths of nine workers.
BSBRA President Mohammad Mohsin confirmed the suspension on Saturday night. The decision was finalized following an inspection of the facility by Abdun Naser Khan, Secretary of the Ministry of Industries. Officials stated that the suspension is a safety precaution intended to prevent further accidents while an investigation committee collects necessary samples to determine the exact cause of the tragedy.
The incident occurred on Friday morning at approximately 9:00 a.m. while workers were dismantling the MT Rasi, a scrap vessel weighing 30,770 tons. According to officials from the Department of Explosives, hydrogen sulfide gas had leaked into the ballast area of the ship, leading to the fatalities.
Records indicate that the facility had been under scrutiny prior to this disaster. An inspection conducted by the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments in February revealed significant lapses in safety protocols and worker welfare. Reported violations included inadequate safety training, failure to produce risk assessment reports, and the denial of overtime compensation.
Due to the yard’s repeated failure to address these non-compliance notices, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments filed a case against the establishment in the labor court last July. Authorities are expected to use the week-long suspension to conduct a thorough forensic analysis of the site.
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