Fatal Gas Leaks in South Asia Put Industrial Safety Under Fresh Scrutiny
Published on 08/17/2026 at 13:17 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Two separate gas leak incidents in mid-August have killed 11 workers in South Asia, raising urgent questions about safety standards in the region's shipbreaking and chemical manufacturing sectors. The accidents — one at a ship recycling yard in Bangladesh and another at a chemical plant in India — have triggered legal action and forced the suspension of operations.
Toxic Release at Sitakunda Ship Recycling Yard
Nine workers died on August 14, 2026, after a hydrogen sulphide gas leak at the Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram. The incident occurred on the MT Rasi, a 94,000-tonne vessel formerly known as the HS Ras Laffan.
Toxic gas levels remained dangerously high in the days following the accident. Fire service officials confirmed that hydrogen sulphide concentrations in the ballast tank measured between 50 and 80 parts per million at low tide two days after the fatalities, preventing investigators from immediately entering the vessel. A specialist team was dispatched from Dhaka to conduct a formal inspection of the cordoned-off ship.
The incident adds to a grim safety record in Bangladesh's shipbreaking industry. Data from the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies indicates that 149 deaths have occurred in the sector since 2015. While 23 of the 31 active yards in Bangladesh have been declared "green," critics argue these designations do not reflect actual safety conditions. Since the Hong Kong Convention entered into force on June 26, 2025, the industry has recorded 84 accidents resulting in 15 deaths and 81 injuries.
These tragedies highlight how easily confined spaces and hazardous atmospheres can be overlooked — even when inspections have been completed. For UK employers, the lesson is clear: thorough risk assessments are the first line of defence. A free toolkit with 41 ready-to-use templates and checklists helps you document workplace hazards properly and stay compliant. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
Safety Certifications Under Scrutiny Following Fatalities
The MT Rasi had received safety clearances from four government bodies and a private agency before dismantling began. However, investigators noted that the inspection reports and Inventory of Hazardous Materials failed to identify the presence of toxic gases. Reports suggested that inspectors avoided entering confined spaces, such as cofferdams, and instead used mirrors from the deck to view internal structures.
On August 16, 2026, the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) issued a legal notice demanding an independent probe and the immediate shutdown of the Ferdous Steel yard. The association alleged that the vessel lacked proper gas-free certification and cited six previous safety incidents at the facility between 2009 and 2023. BELA has urged the government to cancel the yard's licenses and ensure compliance with the Basel Convention.
Operations Suspended at Indo Amines Facility in Maharashtra
A separate gas leak on August 15, 2026, at a manufacturing plant in Mahad, India, resulted in two deaths. The incident at the Indo Amines Limited facility, located in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation zone in Raigad, claimed the lives of one company employee and one worker from a neighboring unit.
Indo Amines suspended operations at the Mahad facility immediately following the leak. In a statement on August 17, the company confirmed the fatalities and noted that safety audits and investigations into the cause of the release are ongoing.
Management indicated that while an insurance claim is being assessed, they do not anticipate a material long-term impact on the company's ability to meet customer requirements, as other facilities may manage the production load.
Financial markets responded to the news on August 17, with Indo Amines shares falling 4.6% to close at 124.02 rupees. The incident follows a period of growth for the company, which reported a 24.1% year-on-year revenue increase to 376.08 crore rupees in the first quarter of the 2027 fiscal year.
Chemical leaks and toxic exposures are a stark reminder of why hazardous substances demand rigorous control. Under UK COSHH regulations, employers have a legal duty to assess and manage risks from dangerous materials — and many don't realise how exposed they are. A free COSHH toolkit provides 43 customisable templates, checklists and toolbox talks to help you meet those obligations. Get the free COSHH Toolkit
Broader Industrial Safety Incidents in August
The fatal leaks in South Asia coincide with other recent industrial accidents globally. On August 13, 2026, a firefighter died during an explosion and subsequent fire at the Huahai shipyard in Fuan, China.
On the same day, 16 people were hospitalized following a gas leak at a coating facility in Hudson, Massachusetts, which resulted in a temporary closure of that site for repairs. Additionally, a federal report released earlier in August regarding a 2025 explosion at a facility in Clairton highlighted that historical safety warnings had been ignored prior to that fatal event.
