Furnace Accident at Far-Mac Steel in Mirsarai, Claims Three Lives, Including Chinese Engineer.

Jwel Nag, Mirsarai Correspondent. Three people, including a Chinese engineer, have died after molten metal splashed onto workers following a furnace malfunction at the Far-Mac Steel Limited factory in the Mirsarai Economic Zone in Chattogram. The accident occurred on September 28. Of the four people who suffered burn injuries in the incident, three died while undergoing treatment. The remaining injured worker, Jewel, 36, is receiving treatment at the Burn Unit of Chattogram Medical College Hospital and is reportedly out of danger. The deceased have been identified as Chinese engineer Zengling Hong, 53, and workers Shariful Islam, 27, and Monir Hossain, 27. Shariful Islam and Zengling Hong died while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, while Monir Hossain died at Chattogram Medical College Hospital. According to Yubraj, an HR and Administration officer at Far-Mac Steel, a malfunction occurred in the furnace around noon on September 28, causing molten metal to splash onto the workers and the engineer. They were rescued and initially taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for treatment. As their conditions deteriorated, three of the injured were moved to the intensive care unit. Later, Shariful Islam and Chinese engineer Zengling Hong were transferred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka for advanced treatment. Shariful Islam died at around 11:30am on October 1 while undergoing treatment at the Dhaka institute. Later that night, at around 9:30pm, Monir Hossain, a resident of Hazariganj village in Char Fasson upazila of Bhola, died at Chattogram Medical College Hospital. The latest death was that of Chinese engineer Zengling Hong, who died at around 11:50am on October 2 while receiving treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. Suman Hossain, who was coordinating with the Chinese nationals, confirmed his death. Compensation Talks Underway Meanwhile, discussions have been held between Far-Mac Steel authorities and the family of deceased worker Shariful Islam regarding compensation of Tk 1 million. However, the compensation has not yet been finalised. A meeting was held on Saturday evening at Jorarganj Police Station between Chinese and Bangladeshi officials of Far-Mac Steel and members of Shariful Islam’s family. Discussions on compensation and other issues were conducted through an interpreter, said Monir Hossain, an uncle of the deceased. Shariful Islam was a resident of Amtala Union in Matiranga upazila of Khagrachhari. His father is Md Selim. He was the father of two children. Police May Take Legal Action Even Without a Case Jorarganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Halim said police may take legal action over the accident even if the victim’s family does not file a case. He said three of the four people injured in the September 28 accident, including the Chinese engineer, had died while undergoing treatment. “Representatives of the factory and relatives of the deceased Shariful have come to the police station. They have been informed about the legal procedures. Even if the family does not file a case, the police can initiate legal proceedings. We are discussing the matter with senior officials,” the OC said. Asked about compensation, he said police were not aware of any agreement on the matter. “Compensation is a matter between the company and the victims. Whatever action the police take will be in accordance with the law,” he said. Health Minister Visited Injured Chinese Engineer Earlier, on September 30, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain visited Chinese engineer Zengling Hong at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. During the visit, the minister assured the patient’s relatives that the best possible treatment was being provided at the institute. The deaths of three people within days of the accident have raised fresh questions over safety measures at Far-Mac Steel and the condition of the factory’s furnace. Determining the actual cause of the accident, as well as the responsibility of the factory authorities, has now become a key concern. Legal and administrative investigations are also expected to play an important role in establishing accountability for the incident.