Toxic hydrogen sulfide detected inside ship after 9 workers killed
The Department of Explosives detected 10.8 parts per million (ppm) of hydrogen sulfide inside the ship around four hours after the accident, officials said during an inspection of the yard today (15 August).
A toxic concentration of hydrogen sulfide gas has been detected inside the ship involved in yesterday's (14 August) fatal accident at Ferdous Steel Shipbreaking Yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram, where nine workers were killed, prompting authorities to launch a joint operation to remove the gas from the vessel and its surrounding area.
The Department of Explosives detected 10.8 parts per million (ppm) of hydrogen sulfide inside the ship around four hours after the accident, officials said during an inspection of the yard today (15 August).
They suspect the concentration may have exceeded 100 ppm at the time of the accident, potentially causing workers exposed to the gas to die within one to three minutes.
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Shakhawat Hossain, explosives inspector at the department, said a joint team will begin work to remove the gas from the vessel and its surrounding area.
"Shipbreaking is a promising industry. The government is committed to doing everything possible to support the industry. Despite following all the HKC guidelines, the accident at Ferdous Steel was unexpected," Industries Secretary Abdun Naser Khan told journalists.
HKC stands for the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, a major global treaty that regulates sustainable ship dismantling
The relevant authorities and government will do everything possible to support the families of the deceased, Naser added.
The yard has remained under the watch of the army, police and other government agencies since the accident.
Naser and senior officials from the industries ministry visited the accident site this morning.
The Chattogram deputy commissioner, officials and leaders of the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association (BSBRA), and senior police officials from different government agencies were also present.
Three probe committees formed
Two more probe committees have been formed to investigate the cause of the accident.
The Ministry of Industries formed an 11-member committee headed by an additional secretary, while the Chattogram district administration formed a nine-member committee headed by an additional district magistrate.
The BSBRA had earlier formed a five-member committee.
The committees will submit reports on the cause of the accident.
Officials said action will be taken against the shipyard authorities if any negligence is found.
Ship had gas-free certificate
BSBRA President Mohammad Mohsin Chowdhury said ships imported into Bangladesh for recycling are required to obtain a gas-free certificate from an internationally recognised organisation before entering a shipbreaking yard.
The vessel involved in Friday's accident also had such a certificate, he said.
The investigation will examine how hydrogen sulfide remained inside the vessel despite the certificate, Mohsin said.
He added that action could be taken against the international organisation that issued the certificate if any negligence is found.
No case filed yet
Superintendent of Police Masud Alam said no case has yet been filed by the families of the deceased workers.
Legal action will be taken after a case is filed, he said.
Of the nine workers killed in the accident, eight have not yet undergone post-mortem examinations, the SP added.
Investigators are examining whether the gas was present before the vessel entered the yard and whether the shipyard or any other party failed to follow mandatory safety procedures.
