Probe body to assess whether safety failures caused Sitakunda shipbreaking deaths: Khosru
The finance minister says action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
The government will investigate whether there were any safety and compliance shortcomings at the Sitakunda shipbreaking yard where a toxic gas leak killed nine workers, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said today (14 August).
"An investigation committee will be formed, and action will be taken based on its findings," he told reporters after visiting Chattogram Medical College Hospital to console the families of the victims and check on the injured workers.
Describing the incident as a deeply tragic accident, the minister said the government would uncover the facts through a fair and impartial investigation.
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"The government is giving importance to ensuring workers' safety and compliance in industrial establishments. Green shipbreaking yards are graded and certified in line with the standards of the Hong Kong Convention," he said.
On compensation, the minister said the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association would provide Tk10 lakh to each of the families of the deceased, while the government would also extend financial assistance.
He also said a Bangladesh Army team was working at the accident site to contain the toxic gas leak.
Earlier in the day, a toxic gas leak from a tanker killed nine workers and injured six others while they were cutting a ship at the Ferdous Steel Shipbreaking Yard in Sitakunda around 8:30am.
The bodies of six victims were taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, one to the city's National Hospital, while two remained at the accident site as of this afternoon.
Fire Service officials initially suspect the leak involved carbon monoxide, but said the exact type of gas and the cause of the accident will be confirmed only after the investigation.
