Published: 12:52 AM, 15 August 2026
9 killed in 'gas exposure' at Sitakunda shipbreaking yard
At least nine shipbreaking workers died after being exposed to toxic gas inside a scrap vessel at a shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda's Bhatiari of Chattogram on Friday.
Five of the deceased were identified as Md Rana, 25, Khokon, 26, Habibur Rahman, 42, and two brothers, Mohammad Nasir, 47, and Mohammad Mansur, 55.
Al Mamun, senior station officer of the Kumira Fire Service Station said workers were dismantling an old LNG carrier when several of them entered a confined compartment inside the vessel and were exposed to toxic gas.
The affected workers were rushed to hospital in critical condition, he said.
During an inspection at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) on Friday afternoon, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury to journalists that an investigation committee will be formed and action will be taken base on findings of the committee.
The minister mentioned that the Bangladesh Shipbreakers and Recyclers Association will provide Tk 10 lakh to the families of each victim.
"It is the government's responsibility to determine if there were any compliance deficiencies, and if so, to take appropriate action," he said.
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah, BNP leader Abul Hashem Bakkar, Chattogram Customs Agents Association President, and Chamber Director SM Saiful Alam were, among others, at the event.
>>Bashir Al Mamun, AA
