Sitakunda shipyard toxic gas leak: Death toll rises to 10 as another worker dies
Nine workers were killed and six others injured in the 14 August accident while dismantling an LNG tanker at the yard.
Another worker died in hospital yesterday (19 August) after sustaining critical injuries in the 14 August toxic gas leak at Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries in Chattogram's Sitakunda, raising the death toll to 10.
The deceased, Idris Ali, 42, died around 6pm while undergoing treatment in the ICU of National Hospital in Chattogram, said Mohammad Yousuf, manager of Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Yard.
"Idris had been in the ICU since 14 August. He died while undergoing treatment yesterday evening," Yousuf told The Business Standard.
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On 14 August, the incident occurred around 8:30am as workers were dismantling a vessel at the yard in Bhatiari union and were exposed to toxic gas.
Ferdous Steel Managing Director Ferdous Wahid had said members of the yard's safety team detected a gas leak from a tank in the vessel's engine room. Workers who went to inspect the leak became unconscious, while others who entered to rescue them also collapsed.
Nine workers died on the day, and six others were injured.
Initial reports suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. However, subsequent inspections by the Department of Explosives detected toxic hydrogen sulphide inside the vessel.
Around four hours after the incident, officials detected 10.8 parts per million of hydrogen sulphide near the affected area of the vessel. Officials suspected that the concentration may have exceeded 100 ppm at the time of the accident, potentially causing death within minutes of exposure.
Idris's body was sent to his ancestral home in Jamalpur after the relevant authorities were informed, Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Yard Manager Yousuf said.
