Survivor of Sitakunda shipbreaking yard gas tragedy recounts harrowing ordeal amid lack of compensation
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SITAKUNDA, Chittagong – A survivor of the deadly gas leak at the Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Yard has recounted the harrowing moments that claimed the lives of 10 workers, describing a scene of escalating panic as colleagues collapsed one after another while attempting to rescue those trapped inside a ballast tank.
Dipu Dash, 32, a cutter-man assistant, was present at the yard on August 14 when the incident occurred. While initial reports confirmed nine fatalities at the site, another worker succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment last Wednesday. Dash, who was hospitalized following the accident, returned home on Monday but continues to struggle with the trauma and the physical toll of the exposure.
Recounting the morning of the disaster, Dash stated that seven workers had entered the ship to begin operations. The accident occurred when workers attempted to drain a ballast tank. According to Dash, as soon as a plug was removed to facilitate drainage, worker Nasir and his brother, foreman Mansur, collapsed immediately. Subsequent attempts by other workers to rescue them resulted in further casualties, as rescuers were overcome by what Dash described as a pungent, toxic odor.
“I tried to help my supervisor, Palash Dash, when he went to retrieve another worker, Sani Dash,” Dipu said. “As soon as I caught a whiff of that strange smell, I felt dizzy. I retreated and began screaming for help, telling everyone that people were dying inside.” Dash collapsed shortly thereafter and was eventually transported to a private hospital in the AK Khan area by bystanders.
Living just 50 meters from the shipyard, Dash remains in poor health. He reports that despite the factory management covering initial hospital expenses, he has received no further compensation or financial support. Furthermore, his outstanding wages remain unpaid. He currently struggles to afford the specialized diet recommended by his physicians for his recovery.
Sultan Ahammed, a cutter-man at the same yard who was absent on the day of the incident, noted that the hazards at the site were well-known. He claimed that he and two other workers had fallen ill due to gas exposure while working on the same ship’s number one tank just one month prior.
The family of Dipu Dash, which includes his wife Purnima and their two children, is currently facing severe financial hardship. Purnima Dash stated that the family’s limited savings were exhausted during the hospital stay, and they have received no communication or assistance from the yard’s owners since the tragedy.
Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Fakhrul Islam confirmed that authorities are taking steps to ensure that the affected workers receive their outstanding wages and appropriate compensation, with a resolution expected by Sunday.
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