Three days after nine people died from toxic gas exposure at Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries in Bhatiari, Sitakunda, the accident site remains hazardous, with the pungent smell of hydrogen sulfide still emanating from the ship involved in the incident.
All operations at the shipyard have been suspended as authorities work to make the area safe.
Two separate investigation committees formed by the Ministry of Industries and the Chittagong district administration began on-site investigations on Sunday. Members visited the accident site, spoke with surviving workers and questioned yard officials as part of efforts to determine the cause of the tragedy.
Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board (BSRB) Director General ASM Shafiul Alam Talukder told TIMES of Bangladesh on Sunday evening that toxic gas was still present inside the vessel.
“We are currently discussing the issue. Gas is still being detected inside the ship. First, we are working out a plan to completely remove the gas. Further steps will be taken after the gas is removed,” he said.
According to BSRB sources, a three-member expert team from Dhaka has also been sent to the shipyard to identify the source and type of gas involved in the accident. No one is being allowed to enter the vessel until the gas emission is brought under control.
The expert committee formed by the Industries Ministry comprises BUET Chemical Engineering Department Professor Dr Md Yasir Arafat Khan, Bangladesh Maritime University Director Captain Md Shoaib Ahmed and Assistant Explosive Inspector of the Explosives Directorate Mohammad Mehedi Islam Khan.
The committee will identify the source and nature of the gas leak and recommend measures to eliminate the remaining risks. A separate investigation committee formed by the Industries Ministry is headed by Additional Secretary AKM Benjamin Riazi.
“We are investigating whether the required safety measures were followed in accordance with international standard operating procedures. Necessary recommendations will be made to prevent such tragic accidents in the future,” Riazi told reporters.
The accident occurred on Friday morning while workers were cutting a 30,770-ton scrap LNG carrier, MT Rasi, at the yard. The incident took place in a ballast section adjacent to the vessel’s cargo tank.
According to eyewitnesses, workers fell unconscious one after another after toxic hydrogen sulfide gas spread through the ballast section. Six workers of the shipyard and three people from the surrounding area who entered the vessel in an attempt to rescue them died in the incident.
Meanwhile, three separate investigations are now underway. Besides the Industries Ministry and the Chattogram district administration, the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association (BSBRA) has formed its own committee to investigate the accident.
Following the tragedy, the BSRB on Saturday ordered the suspension of all activities at Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries. The regulatory body said the decision was taken as a safety measure following the deaths.
