Nine workers die in suspected toxic gas exposure at Bangladesh shipyard after safety case filed

A legal case was filed against Ferdous Corporation Ltd on July 15 for repeated occupational safety violations, just a month before nine workers died in a suspected toxic gas exposure at its shipyard in Sitakunda.

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Following repeated directives to ensure occupational safety that went unheard, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) filed a case against Ferdous Corporation Ltd of Sitakunda at a labour court on July 15, just a month before 9 workers died in a suspected toxic gas exposure at the shipyard.

The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) had issued repeated reminders and directives to the shipyard, but officials said the company continued operations without implementing adequate safety measures. The tragedy occurred around 8:00 a.m. on August 14 at the shipbreaking yard when workers were cutting scrap inside an old LNG carrier. A sudden gas leak inside the vessel led to a high concentration of carbon monoxide, causing severe breathing difficulties due to lack of oxygen. Five workers died at the scene, and four others died later at the hospital.

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Officials said the shipyard continued operations without ensuring adequate safety measures, leading to the tragedy.

According to a DIFE report, its Chattogram branch had inspected the shipyard multiple times previously and taken legal action over safety lapses. During a routine inspection on February 2, officials found several irregularities, leading to a notice being issued to Ferdous Steel. Despite further reminders on May 4 and a final notice on June 8, the factory authorities failed to implement the required safety directives. Consequently, a case was filed at the Chattogram Labour Court on July 15.

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Following the inspection, a notice was issued to Ferdous Steel on February 2 this year. Despite several reminders, the factory authorities failed to implement the directives. As a result, a case was filed against the factory at the Chattogram Labour Court on July 15.

In the aftermath of the accident, a joint team of local administration, fire service, and DIFE officials inspected the site. However, two labour inspectors were injured when a mob assaulted the DIFE team. Local labor leader Fazlur Kabir Mintu told The Daily Star that workers were allowed to enter the vessel without prior checks for accumulated liquid waste or gas presence, suggesting negligence.

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Workers were allowed to enter the vessel without first checking for accumulated liquid waste or the presence of gas inside.