RASIscrapped
Latest ports
Latest Waypoints
Latest news
Shipbreaking workers laid siege to the Chattogram office of the Department of Explosives
On Aug 24, shipbreaking workers laid siege to the Chattogram office of the Department of Explosives, demanding an investigation into the “gas-free” certificate issued for the 'Rasi', after toxic hydrogen sulphide gas killed 10 workers at a Sitakunda shipbreaking yard on Aug 14. Under the banner of the Shipbreaking Workers’ Safety Committee, protesters placed a 12‑point demand charter, calling for publication and verification of the vessel’s gas‑free certificate, examination of gas‑testing reports and logbooks, identification of the source of the gas, and determination of responsibility for the deaths. The workers held a rally in front of the Department of Explosives office before marching to the office of its deputy inspector general, where they staged a sit‑in. Tapan Dutta, president of the Trade Union Centre (TUC) Chattogram district committee, said the incident was not merely an accident but raised serious questions about safety measures in the shipbreaking industry and the system for detecting hazardous gases. Md Ali, member‑secretary of the safety committee, said authorities must disclose the levels of toxic and flammable gases detected during testing, the test results, and whether the vessel was retested before workers entered it. Protesters submitted a memorandum to the Inspector General of the Explosives Department through Deputy Inspector General Dr Md Asadul Islam. Receiving it, Dr Asadul said inspection of ballast tanks did not fall within his department’s responsibilities, adding that his department would take the highest possible measures to prevent such incidents.
Accident at Ferdous Shipbreaking cost one more life
The accident aboard the 'Rasi' at the Ferdous shipbreaking Yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram, has caused an 11th life. Md Alauddin, 40, a fitter at the Baraka Ship Breaking and Recycling Industry in Shitalpur, Kumira Uniond, passed away on Aug 22 at around 7:30 a.m. at the Treatment Hospital in Panchlaish, Chattogram. He had been receiving care in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for eight days after the accident on Aug 15. He reportedly became dizzy and fell while working on the ship. The worker had a pre-existing heart condition and had previously suffered a stroke. Because the family raised no complaints or allegations, the body was handed over to his relatives without an autopsy. However, as the fatality stemmed from an occupational incident, an unnatural death case was filed, according to the Industrial Police.
Highly toxic hydrogen sulphide inside tanker
An expert team has detected highly toxic hydrogen sulphide inside the 'Risa', which had been involved in the Sitakunda shipbreaking yard accident that killed 10 workers, while laboratory tests of samples collected from the vessel were still under way. The team submitted a preliminary report to the industries ministry on Aug 19 after inspecting the site. There were two committees from the industries ministry, including a technical team. Samples collected by the team are now being tested in laboratories. The full report would be submitted by Aug 22 Preliminary findings showed no hydrogen sulphide in the air, but evidence that the gas was dissolved in the vessel’s water. The Department of Explosives had earlier detected toxic levels of hydrogen sulphide inside the vessel following the accident. The gas remained dissolved and posed no immediate risk as long as no one entered or worked inside the vessel. The other investigation committees had nearly completed their field-level information collection. Three committees formed by the Industries Ministry, Chattogram district administration and the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association were investigating the incident. The Industries Ministry’s committee inspected the accident-hit Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries on Aug 18 and found no toxic gas inside the vessel. It collected several samples from the site for further testing. Report with photo: https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/310724/shipbreaking-deaths-expert-team-submits-preliminary-report
Upload News