Death Toll Rises to 8 in Toxic Gas Incident at Sitakunda Shipbreaking Yard.

Md. Omar Faruk Special Correspondent The death toll has risen to eight after workers were exposed to toxic gas at a shipbreaking yard in Bhatiari, Sitakunda, Chattogram. Several others reportedly fell ill and were taken to hospital for treatment. The tragic incident occurred at around 9:00am on Friday (August 14) at Ferdous Steel Shipbreaking Yard and Recycling Factory in the Station Road area of Bhatiari Union. According to police and local sources, workers suddenly began shouting from inside the shipbreaking yard in the morning. Local people later saw several sick workers being taken to hospital by vehicles. When news spread that several workers' bodies were lying inside the ship, agitated locals entered the yard and vandalised parts of the facility. Police later arrived and brought the situation under control. Of the eight deceased workers, four have so far been identified as Sani Jaldas, Palash Jaldas, and two brothers, Mansur Ali and Nasir Uddin. All of them were residents of the Bhatiari area. Dr. Ishtiaq Rahman of Chattogram Medical College Hospital said seven workers were brought to the hospital in two separate batches. Six of them were brought in dead, while another worker is currently receiving treatment. The bodies have been kept at the hospital morgue. Sitakunda Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Md. Alamgir said that the bodies of two more workers were still at the accident site. Assistant Director of Chattogram Fire Service Taufiqul Islam said firefighters rushed to the scene after receiving a call through the national emergency service 999. He said the ship being dismantled at the yard had previously carried LNG. Such vessels must be completely gas-free before dismantling. Some tanks may contain hazardous gases, including fluorine, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. According to the Fire Service official, the accident may have occurred because the ship's tanks were not properly gas-free before the cutting operation began. The tragic incident has cast a shadow of grief over the families and relatives of the deceased. Authorities are expected to investigate the incident to determine the exact cause of the accident and establish responsibility.