Gas leak at Bangladesh shipbreaking yard kills 8: police

A toxic gas leak at a shipbreaking yard in Bangladesh on Friday claimed the lives of at least eight workers, with five others missing, according to police. Witnesses reported hearing screams before workers rushed the victims to a nearby hospital. Senior police official Abdul Kuddus Chowdhury confirmed the fatalities and stated that an investigation committee has been formed to determine the cause of the incident.

The Ferdous Steel Shipbreaking Yard and Recycling Factory, where the tragedy occurred, was previously deemed compliant and environmentally friendly, but fire service official Towfiqul Islam Bhuiyan revealed that safety protocols were reportedly disregarded. The vessel, previously used for liquefied natural gas transportation, should have been free of gas before the cutting process began.

Bhuiyan alleged that the yard authorities failed to adhere to safety instructions, resulting in the tragic deaths of the workers. Ferdous Steel Shipbreaking Yard has not released any official statement regarding the incident. Firefighters recovered three bodies from the scene, while several others were found unconscious and transported to the hospital.

Shipbreaking is a significant industry in Bangladesh, located along a 25-kilometer stretch of the Chittagong coast on the Bay of Bengal, and is recognized as one of the world's largest shipbreaking hubs, employing thousands of individuals. The sector has faced ongoing criticism from labor and environmental organizations over safety concerns and working conditions.

Among the deceased workers was Palash Jaladas, whose pregnant wife, Bhoumika Jaladas, was visibly distraught, expressing her concerns to reporters about her future.