Families of 10 workers killed in toxic gas leak at Ferdous Steel receive Tk7 lakh each

Families of 10 workers, who were killed in a toxic gas leak at Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industry in Sitakunda of Chattogram on 14 August, have received Tk7 lakh each from the yard authorities.

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian handed over the compensation to the family members of the victims at a ceremony at the yard today (23 August). 

Alongside the amount, Zahidul handed over Tk25,000 each from the Relief and Disaster Management Ministry to five families, who hail from Chattogram district.

The remaining families will receive the same amount from the administrations of their respective districts, he said.

"We know that no compensation can replace a life. But the government and the industry are standing beside the families, and we will try to provide further support as opportunities arise," the deputy commissioner said.

The yard authority had earlier paid Tk1 lakh to each family immediately after the accident and deposited Tk2 lakh per deceased with the Labour Court in line with labour regulations.

The authority has also pledged to provide further assistance to the families if necessary.

Govt targets zero deaths in shipbreaking

Zahidul said the shipbreaking industry had established itself as an important economic sector, but worker safety must receive greater attention.

"We want to bring casualties in this sector down to zero," he said, acknowledging that local authorities did not have the technological capacity to immediately detect and neutralise the high concentration of hydrogen sulphide inside the vessel involved in the accident.

Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association President Mohammad Mohsin Chowdhury said responsibility for the accident should not automatically be placed solely on the local shipbreaking yard.

He said the previous owner of the vessel also had a responsibility to properly clean and make it safe before selling it for recycling.

According to him, documents from the inspection process indicated that the vessel had been cleaned before being sold. However, hazardous gas was later found inside the vessel.

Yard owner apologises to families

Ferdous Steel Managing Director and CEO Ferdous Wahid apologised to the families of the deceased and said the company had sought to maintain high safety standards.

He said the company has been trying to develop environmentally responsible ship recycling facilities and currently has two green shipyards, assuring that the company would review its safety procedures and take additional measures to prevent future accidents.

Toxic gas raises fresh safety questions

The accident occurred on 14 August when workers entered the scrap vessel after a gas leak was detected.

Subsequent testing by the Department of Explosives found 10.8 parts per million (ppm) of hydrogen sulphide inside the vessel several hours after the incident. Officials suspected the concentration had exceeded 100 ppm when the accident occurred.

The incident has since triggered multiple investigations and renewed scrutiny of safety practices at shipbreaking yards, particularly gas-free certification, the handling of hazardous vessels and the capacity to detect and neutralise toxic gases before workers enter confined spaces.