‘Toxic Gas Leak’ Kills Three Workers at Chattogram Shipbreaking Yard

Bangla Press Desk:  At least three workers have been killed and several others injured after toxic gas reportedly leaked at a shipbreaking yard in Chattogram’s Sitakunda.

The incident occurred on Friday morning while workers were carrying out housekeeping work aboard a ship at the Ferdous Steel Shipbreaking Yard, according to officials.

Workers approached after noticing gas leaking from a tank on the vessel, causing several of them to lose consciousness. Three were rushed to hospital.

Mohammad Mahbubul Hasan, deputy inspector general of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), told bdnews24.com that 10 workers were reportedly injured in the incident.

"We don't yet have details of how it happened. We'll be able to say more about the cause of the leak, and whether proper safety measures were in place at the yard, once we've carried out an inspection."

Al Mamun, station officer at the Sitakunda Fire Service and Civil Defence, confirmed that three workers had died at the shipyard.
He said rescue operations were under way but could not provide further details.

Mohammad Alamgir, inspector (investigation) at Sitakunda Police Station, said they had received reports of an accident at the shipyard and were heading to the site.