Toxic Gas Leak at Bangladeshi Shipbreaking Yard Claims Tenth Victim
Published on 08/21/2026 at 03:57 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A worker injured in a toxic gas leak at a shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda, Bangladesh, has died in hospital, bringing the death toll from the incident to ten. Idris Ali, 42, passed away in the intensive care unit of National Hospital on August 19, several days after the initial accident.
The incident occurred on August 14 at the Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Yard, where workers were carrying out tasks inside a tank on the vessel MT Rasi. Nine workers, including 17-year-old Motiur Rahaman, died at the scene, and six others were injured during the leak.
The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of safety standards in Bangladesh's shipbreaking industry, a sector that UK-based shipping companies and international buyers rely on for vessel recycling.
Prior Warnings Ignored
The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) had already initiated legal proceedings against Ferdous Corporation Ltd in the labour court on July 15, 2026. The action followed repeated safety violations identified by inspectors earlier in the year, with official notices issued to the shipyard management on February 2, May 4, and June 8.
Despite these warnings and the pending court case, the facility continued operations. In response to the fatal leak, the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association (BSRB) suspended operations at the yard and established an 11-member committee to investigate the circumstances. Local police also filed an unnatural death case six days after the fatalities.
Gas Levels and Certification Questions
While initial reports suggested carbon monoxide poisoning, subsequent environmental testing detected hydrogen sulphide at the site. Technical assessments measured the gas at 10.8 parts per million (ppm) near the affected area, though experts indicated that concentrations likely exceeded 100 ppm at the moment of exposure.
The Ferdous Steel Shipyard held HKC Green Yard certification at the time of the accident. However, labour rights organisations have noted that such certifications have not consistently guaranteed worker safety in the region.
Industry-Wide Safety Record
According to data from the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), the shipbreaking sector recorded 84 accidents between June 26, 2025, and August 14, 2026. These incidents resulted in 15 deaths and 81 injuries. Longer-term industry figures compiled since 2014 show a total of 161 deaths and 225 injuries across various yards.
Currently, 23 of the 31 shipyards in the area are classified as green certified, while eight others are operating under trial periods. The recent fatalities have prompted renewed calls for stricter enforcement of labour laws within the ship recycling industry.
