Shipyard closure follows deadly incident
Authorities have suspended operations at a ship recycling yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram, following the deaths of nine workers in a toxic gas incident, as three separate committees investigate the disaster and assess whether negligence or safety violations were involved.
The Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board (BSRB) ordered Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industry to stop operations on 14 August, shortly after the workers died inside a vessel at the yard.
BSRB Director General Shafiul Alam Talukder confirmed the suspension on Saturday (15 August), saying the yard would remain closed until inspection and investigation reports were reviewed.
“The first measure is a stop-operation order. I have already issued it,” he told the media.
He said further action would depend on the findings of the investigations and inspections.
If negligence was established and the yard was deemed unsafe, the authorities could order it to remain closed, he added.
The incident occurred at around 8:30am on 14 August while workers were carrying out operations inside a vessel at the shipbreaking yard. Nine workers died after being exposed to toxic gas in the enclosed space.
A subsequent inspection detected hydrogen sulphide (H?S) at a concentration of 10.8 parts per million inside the vessel, raising concerns that the toxic gas had accumulated in the confined area.
However, a fresh inspection by the Fire Service today detected methane, carbon dioxide and ammonia in two compartments of the vessel, but found no hydrogen sulphide.
The differing findings are expected to be examined as part of the investigations into the cause of the deaths and the safety conditions at the yard.
Three committees probe disaster
Three separate committees have been formed to investigate the incident, according to the BSRB director general.
The committees were constituted by the Industries Ministry, the Chattogram district administration and the BSRB.
“The next step will depend on the inspection and inquiry reports. After identifying those responsible, we will decide what action should be taken,” Shafiul Alam said.
He said the authorities would determine whether the yard could safely resume operations after reviewing the reports.
“If it is found that the yard should be closed, it will be closed. If it is found that the operation can continue, then other measures, including fines, may be considered under the relevant factory and labour laws,” he said.
He added that penalties could be imposed under the relevant laws and regulations if investigators found that the incident was not caused by negligence but determined that violations had occurred.
No case filed yet
Despite the deaths of nine workers, no case had been filed over the incident as of this evening, according to Sitakunda Police Station Officer-in-Charge Moinul Islam.
“No families of the victims have come to us to file a complaint. We have not received any instruction from higher authority to file a case in this incident,” he said.
The police position is expected to be reviewed depending on the findings of the investigations and any subsequent instructions from the authorities.
The incident has renewed concerns over safety standards at ship recycling yards, where workers often operate in confined spaces that can contain hazardous gases and other dangerous substances.
The BSRB said the authorities would take appropriate action after the inspection and investigation reports establish the cause of the disaster and determine whether any individuals or organisations should be held responsible.
