Sitakunda shipyard toxic gas death toll rises to 10

The death toll from the August 14 toxic gas incident at Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Yard in Sitakunda has risen to 10 after another critically injured worker died at a Chattogram hospital on Wednesday evening.

The deceased, Idris Ali, 42, of Jamalpur, died around 6:00pm while undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of National Hospital in Chattogram.

Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Fakhrul Islam confirmed the death.
Idris had remained in critical condition since the accident, which occurred around 9:00am on August 14 inside the scrap vessel MT Rasi at the ship recycling yard in Bhatiari union.

Workers were reportedly cutting a ballast tank when they were exposed to toxic gas inside the vessel.
Nine workers died on the day of the incident, while six others were taken to different hospitals with serious injuries. Md Farooq, deputy general manager of National Hospital, said Idris had been receiving treatment in the ICU since the accident and that the relevant health authorities had been formally informed of his death.

His body was later sent to his ancestral home in Jamalpur. Following the incident, the Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board suspended all operations at Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Yard until further notice.
The Ministry of Industries also formed an 11-member committee to investigate the incident and allegations of serious safety violations at the yard.

The accident has renewed concerns over occupational safety in Bangladesh’s shipbreaking industry, particularly regarding workers entering enclosed spaces where toxic gases may accumulate.

The vessel MT Rasi, measuring about 280 metres in length and 43 metres in width, arrived at Chattogram anchorage in July 2025 and was officially beached for dismantling on July 13, 2025.