Md Anwarul.Haque Nizami, Mirsarai (Chittagong)

Nine people, including three top officials of the yard, died after toxic gas leaked out while cutting up an old ship at the Ferdous Steel Shipyard in Sitakunda, Chittagong. At least 12 people were injured. Several others were injured in clashes between local people and the yard authorities after the accident. The army has been deployed to the scene to control the situation and assist in rescue operations after the accident.

The accident occurred at around 8:30 am on Friday (August 14) in the yard located in the Maulvipara area of Ward No. 5 of Bhatiari Union of the upazila. The injured have been rescued and sent to Chittagong Medical College (CMCH) Hospital. The condition of some of them is said to be critical.

The deceased are yard in-charge Nasir Uddin (38), safety in-charge Sujan (35), foreman Munsur Ali (40), Sunny Jaldas (22), son of Pradeep Das of Thakur Sunny's house in Bhatiari area, and Palash Jaldas (30), son of Harendra Das, Nasir (40), son of Sekandar Mia (46), Pradeep, Habin and Sujan of Moulvipara.

The injured are Roni, Anis, Dipu Das, Milan and Likon, and several others are missing.

Locals said that the number of workers killed and injured doubled as the owner hid the incident after the accident. If the workers had been rescued and provided with medical treatment immediately after the accident, so many workers would not have been harmed.

A local resident, who asked not to be named, said that in the morning, they suddenly heard people screaming from inside the factory. Later, some people went there and saw sick workers being taken to the hospital in vehicles. Then, when news spread that some workers' bodies were lying inside the scrap ship, the locals got angry and entered the factory and vandalized it. Later, the police came and brought the situation under control.

Shahed Parvez Talukder, Chittagong labor inspector of the Department of Factories and Establishments Inspectorate, said the accident occurred when toxic gas was released while cutting up an old ship. The gas and smoke spread beyond the yard, causing panic in the entire area. The injured have been sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

He also said that Ferdous Steel's security system was not proper. A few months ago, the company was given a show cause notice. He also filed a case in the labor court a month ago, alleging security lapses and operating on closing days.

Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Fakhrul Islam said that several workers were killed and injured in an explosion at the shipyard. Their rescue work is underway. The accident is being investigated.

Sitakunda Model Police Station OC Mohinul Islam said, "We have learned that an explosion occurred while cutting a scrap ship, and the main issue is being investigated."