Bangladesh detects toxic gas inside ship after accident kills nine workers

Bangladesh authorities detected 10.8 parts per million of hydrogen sulfide, a highly toxic, colorless gas, inside a ship at Ferdous Steel Shipbreaking Yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram, after an accident killed nine workers, officials said Friday.

The Department of Explosives made the finding about four hours after Thursday’s accident. Officials said the gas concentration may have exceeded 100 parts per million when the workers were exposed, potentially causing death within one to three minutes.

Authorities launched a joint operation to remove the gas from the vessel and surrounding area. Three committees are investigating the accident.

The vessel had a gas-free certificate before entering the yard, Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association president Mohammad Mohsin Chowdhury said. Investigators are examining how hydrogen sulfide remained aboard and whether required safety procedures were followed.