The number of workers killed by a poisonous gas at a ship-breaking factory in Bhatiari, Sitakunda, Chittagong, has risen to eight. The accident took place on Friday (August 14th) morning at the Ferdous Steel Shipbreaking Yard in Station Road area of Bhatiari Union.
Four of the dead have been identified. They are-Sani Jaldas (22), Palash Jaldas (27) and two siblings Mansur Ali (40) and Nasir Uddin (38). They all live in the Bhatiari area.
The gas accident of the ship
Tawfiqul Islam, assistant director of the fire service Chittagong, said the fire service members rushed to the spot after receiving information about the emergency service number 999. The scrap ship that was being cut was carried by LNG before.
He said that the concerned tanks and rooms need to be completely gas-free before cutting such vessels. However, it is believed that the accident occurred due to the cutting of the ship without gas-free.
According to the fire service official, some tanks of the ship may contain gas such as fluorin, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The safety of the workers was not adequate at the time of the accident.
Six people died after being taken to hospital
Ishtiaq Rahman, a doctor in charge of Chittagong Medical College Hospital, said seven people were taken to the hospital in two phases from the factory. Six of them were brought dead. Others are being treated.
Meanwhile, inspector (investigation) of Sitakunda police station Md. Alamgir said two more bodies were reported to have been found at the scene.
After the news of the accident spread, there was tension among the local people. According to eyewitnesses, the news of the bodies of some people lying inside the factory was taken to the hospital. Some people broke into the factory. Police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.
The smell of gas is also around
Local residents claimed that the smell of gas from the factory also spread to the surrounding area. Even the fishermen returning from the sea were having trouble entering the canal next to the factory due to the smell of the smell, the locals said.
The cause of the incident and the security of the factory are being investigated.