Technical lapses cause ship-breaking yard explosion in Ctg; 8 critically injured shifted to DMCH

At least 12 people were injured following a gas tank explosion at a ship-breaking yard in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram today (7 September). 

Mohammad Solaiman, superintendent of Industrial Police, Chattogram, said the incident took place at the green ship-breaking yard of SN Corporation around 11:40am.

After being rescued, the injured were taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH). Later in the afternoon, eight of the injured were shifted to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) as their condition deteriorated, according to authorities.

Brigadier General Taslim Uddin, director of CMCH, told The Business Standard that eight of the victims sustained critical burn injuries, with 80% to 90% of their bodies burned. 

"Four others suffered blast injuries from the shockwave caused by the explosion," he added.

The injured workers were identified as Mohammad Ahmad Ullah, HMC manager; Mohammad Al Amin, safety inspector; Mohammad Barkat, ship in-charge; Mohammad Habil Ahmed, cutter foreman; and Mohammad Niamul Hoque, ship helper. 

The other injured, including fitters and oil cleaners, are Mohammad Anwar Hossen, Mohammad Abul Kashem, Mohammad Jahangir, Mohammad Khairul, Mohammad Sagar, Mohammad Rafique, and Mohammad Saiful.

Experts have opined that the explosion was caused by technical lapses. Meanwhile, workers' organisations condemned the incident and called for a thorough investigation. They also urged strict action against those responsible for the explosion.

The explosion occurred in a tanker vessel that was being dismantled at SN Corporation around 11:40am. Eyewitnesses reported seeing fire and thick smoke engulfing the ship after the explosion.

Al Mamun, senior station Manager of Kumira Fire Station, told The Business Standard, "The workers were operating inside a tank with poor ventilation. When a cutterman ignited a gas cutter, the tank exploded with a huge bang."

Muhammad Ali Shahin, a ship-breaking industry expert and coordinator of the non-governmental organisation YPSA, explained that the tanker being dismantled was previously used to transport fuel oil. 

"The tanks generate flammable gases like methane. Even after the oil is unloaded, the gas remains inside the tanks. It's essential to check the tanks with specialised gas metres before using fire-oriented gas cutters," he added.

Shahin suspected technical lapses at the yard, stating, "As a green yard with trained personnel, such lapses are unexpected, especially from an experienced ship-breaker."

However, no comments could be obtained from the yard authorities, as the director of the yard, Mohammad Barkat Ullah, did not answer phone calls despite several attempts.

This is not an isolated incident in the ship-breaking industry. In 2022, a similar explosion at Jamuna Ship-Breakers claimed three lives. There were so many other incidents of tank explosion in the industry earlier too.

Despite improvements in safety standards, the technical failure in a certified green yard has raised concerns about the industry's development.

In a statement to the media, the Ship-Breaking Workers' Trade Union Forum condemned the incident and blamed inadequate monitoring for the explosion.

The statement, signed by convener Tapan Dutta and joint convener Mohammad Safar Ali, called for a thorough investigation and strict actions to prevent future accidents.