Tragedy in Chattogram: Toxic Gas Leak Kills 9 Shipyard Workers: Critically Injures 10
CHATTOGRAM, BANGLADESH — A catastrophic toxic gas leak at a shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda claimed the lives of at least nine workers and critically injured ten others on Friday morning, once again exposing severe safety vulnerabilities in the region’s ship recycling sector.
The disaster occurred around 11:15 AM aboard an end-of-life vessel at Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries, owned by the Ziri Subedar Group. According to local witnesses and fire service officials, a gas pipeline was accidentally severed during dismantling and housekeeping operations.
“Workers approached the area after noticing gas escaping from a vessel tank, causing several to lose consciousness immediately,” said Al Mamun, Station Officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence at Sitakunda. The toxic vapor rapidly dispersed across the compartment, suffocating the crew before effective evacuation measures could be mobilized.
Five workers died at the scene, while four others succumbed to lethal gas inhalation shortly after reaching Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH).
The Deceased Workers
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Sunny Jaldas (35)
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Palash Jaldas (39)
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Sada Das
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Habibur Rahman (50)
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Mansur Ali (55)
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Nasir Uddin (47)
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Matiur Rahman Sajjad (30)
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Abdul Alim Sujan (44)
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Md Khokan (40)
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Md Rana (27)
Industrial Police Superintendent Mahmuda Begum confirmed the fatalities, warning that the death toll may increase as multiple hospitalised workers remain in critical condition.
Mohammad Mahbubul Hasan, Deputy Inspector-General of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), stated that an investigation is underway to determine whether baseline safety protocols and atmospheric testing were implemented prior to work. The yard had previously recorded a major safety breach on September 16 last year, when an oil-tank explosion injured eight workers.
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Jahidul Islam Mian visited CMCH alongside Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, confirming that the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association will provide Tk 1.0 million in compensation to each victim’s family.
The Sitakunda coastal belt processes 80 to 90 ships annually across a 20-mile stretch, generating over 1.5 million tonnes of scrap iron. However, the dismantling of complex vessels—particularly Turbine Tankers—continues to pose severe hazards to personnel and coastal ecosystems amid ongoing demands for stringent safety enforcement.
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