The Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board (BSRB) has suspended all operations at Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries in Sitakunda, Chattogram, following the deaths of nine people in a toxic gas leak at the shipyard.
The suspension order was issued on Saturday, a day after the accident that killed six workers and three local residents who entered the yard to rescue those trapped inside the vessel.
BSRB Director General ASM Shafiul Alam Talukder confirmed the decision to TIMES of Bangladesh.
“We have issued a ‘stop-operation order’ to the company. The suspension will remain in effect indefinitely,” he said.
The BSRB chief said three separate committees have been formed to investigate the accident, identify its cause and determine whether there was any negligence or violation of safety regulations.
The Ministry of Industries, Chattogram district administration and Bangladesh Shipbreakers and Recyclers Association (BSBRA) are conducting separate investigations into the incident.
According to Shafiul Alam Talukder, the investigations will examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, the compensation to be provided to the victims’ families and whether the company failed to comply with required safety measures.
“If the investigation, following due procedure, finds that the company bears no negligence or liability, a decision may be taken to resume operations later. Otherwise, the operations will be stopped permanently,” he said.
The accident occurred on Friday morning while workers were cutting the 30,770-ton scrap LNG carrier MT Rasi at the yard.
The incident took place in the vessel’s ballast section, adjacent to the cargo tank. Eyewitnesses said toxic hydrogen sulphide gas leaked into the area, causing workers to collapse one after another.
Six shipyard workers died after being exposed to the gas. Three local residents who entered the area in an attempt to rescue them were also overcome by the toxic gas and died.
