1 dead, 3 hospitalised after inhaling toxic gas in Ctg oil depot
The identity of the deceased has not yet been confirmed, but he is believed to be around 38 years old
A worker died, and three others were critically injured after inhaling toxic gas while working inside an oil tank reportedly storing oil from scrap ships at a depot in Sitakunda's Salimpur Residential Area in Chattogram last night (22 May).
The incident occurred around 9pm at the depot operated by Jamal Company.
The identity of the deceased has not yet been confirmed, but he is believed to be around 38 years old, said Fire Service and Civil Defence officials.
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Among the injured, two have been identified as Mir Ahmad, 28 and Mostafa Kamal, 35, while the identity of the third injured worker, believed to be around 40 years old, remains unknown.
Mojibur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Sitakunda Police Station, said a case is being lodged, and an investigation into the incident is underway.
According to fire officials, the tank is approximately 20 feet deep and partially filled with thick, burnt black oil.
Sitakunda Fire Station Officer Al Amin said, "One worker initially entered the tank, possibly for cleaning or maintenance work. He was likely overcome by the toxic gas, causing him to lose consciousness and fall into the oil."
"In a desperate attempt to rescue him, three more workers entered the tank one by one and also lost consciousness due to the toxic environment. Firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after being alerted and managed to rescue all four from the tank," Al Amin added.
"All four were rushed to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) in an unconscious condition, where one of them died while undergoing treatment. Nurul Alam Ashek, a sub-inspector of the CMCH police outpost, said.
"The remaining three are in critical conditions," Ashek added.
An oil trader, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Business Standard that carbon monoxide — a toxic gas — accumulates inside such tanks and must be properly ventilated before any cleaning work.
"The unskilled workers may have entered the tank without ensuring proper ventilation, which led to them inhaling the gas and falling ill," he said.
The tragic incident has raised serious concerns over worker safety and hazardous conditions in the region's informal oil recycling industry.
