High levels of toxic hydrogen sulphide still persist at Ferdous Steel ship
Specialist team from Dhaka to inspect site.
High levels of toxic hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) gas are still being detected inside the vessel at Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram, three days after nine workers were killed in a gas leak, preventing investigators from safely entering the ship.
A three-member specialist team from Dhaka is travelling to the yard to inspect the vessel, identify the source and nature of the gas and recommend measures to eliminate the risk, according to the Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board.
The vessel has been cordoned off, with authorities barring entry until the gas emission is brought under control.
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Shah Imran, deputy assistant director of Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defence, said H₂S concentrations inside the vessel's ballast tank rise to 50-80 parts per million (ppm) during low tide, posing a serious risk to human life.
The Fire Service's Hazmat team inspected the ballast tank around noon on Saturday but detected no H₂S as the area was under high tide. When the team returned around 6pm during low tide, it detected concentrations of 50-80 ppm.
The Hazmat team attempted another inspection around 10am today (16 August) but again detected high concentrations of the toxic gas and had to withdraw.
"As long as the gas emission continues, there is no way for the investigation committee to inspect the site safely," Imran said.
The Department of Explosives had also previously detected toxic gases inside the vessel, prompting authorities to bring in specialist assistance.
Following discussions with government agencies and the investigation committee, authorities decided to bring in a specialist team to remove sludge and accumulated hazardous gases from the vessel's ballast tank.
The vessel will be declared safe only after the specialist team completes the cleaning and provides a written safety certification. The Fire Service will then conduct another operation before the vessel is finally declared safe.
Dhaka team to inspect vessel
Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board Director General AKM Shafiul Alam Talukder told The Business Standard that a three-member specialist team was on its way from Dhaka.
"After the team submits its report, the next decision will be taken," he said.
The industries ministry has formed the expert team to identify the source and nature of the gas leak and recommend measures to eliminate potential risks.
The team comprises Md Easir Arafat Khan, professor of chemical engineering at Buet; Captain Md Shoyeb Ahmed, director of Bangladesh Maritime University; and Mohammad Mehedi Islam Khan, assistant explosives inspector at the Department of Explosives.
The team will also assess whether hazardous gases or substances remain inside the vessel and recommend measures to prevent further emissions.
