Bangladesh toxic gas leak kills nine workers at Chattogram shipbreaking yard

Nine workers were killed and at least five others were injured when toxic gas leaked during the dismantling of an old ship at a yard in Bhatiari, Chattogram on Friday, according to local media reports.

The yard is operated by Ferdous Corporation Limited of Sitakunda, which had recently faced a lawsuit alleging failures to ensure occupational safety.

The facility is reportedly among about 30 shipyards in Bangladesh holding Hong Kong Convention Green Certification for meeting international standards. The yard’s managing director also said it had safety clearances from the Department of Explosives and the Department of Environment.

The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, which oversees general workplace safety, said specialized agencies are responsible for clearing and monitoring gas leaks and oil safety before shipbreaking begins.

The incident raises fresh questions about safety oversight at certified shipbreaking facilities in Bangladesh.

Finance and planning minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said a probe committee would be formed to investigate the incident.

“Actions will be taken based on the findings of the committee,” said Chowdhury.

Chowdhury described the incident as “deeply unfortunate.”

Bangladesh’s shipbreaking industry accounts for about 36% of global ship scrapping, with roughly 150 registered yards along a 20-kilometer stretch of the Sitakunda coast generating about $2.46 billion annually and supplying more than half of the country’s scrap steel, according to a report in the Associated Press.