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Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) has demanded a thorough investigation into the deaths of nine workers in a toxic gas incident at a ship recycling yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram, describing the fatalities as the result of persistent negligence and violations of workplace safety standards.
The environmental rights organisation also called for punishment of those responsible, adequate compensation for the families of the deceased and proper medical treatment for workers injured in the accident.
According to a BAPA statement, the accident occurred at around 8:30am on August 14 at the Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Shipyard in Bhatiary Union of Sitakunda when workers were dismantling an LNG scrap vessel. Nine workers died after being exposed to toxic gas.
BAPA said it had long been warning about uncontrolled environmental pollution in the shipbreaking industry and the growing health risks faced by workers.
Despite the government’s commitment to implement the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, environmental and occupational safety standards continue to be seriously violated at many shipbreaking yards, the organisation said.
Although the number of modern and environmentally friendly “green” ship recycling yards has increased to some extent, most yards continue to use traditional and hazardous methods for dismantling vessels, BAPA said.
“This is posing a serious threat to coastal ecosystems and public health,” the organisation said, warning of growing pollution, soil degradation, biodiversity loss and inadequate waste management in coastal areas.
BAPA also expressed concern over the long-term health consequences for workers engaged in shipbreaking.
It said thousands of workers are exposed to toxic gases and asbestos without adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), putting them at risk of serious diseases, including lung cancer, respiratory illnesses and skin diseases.
The organisation said inadequate safety measures also frequently lead to gas-cylinder explosions, fires and workers being crushed by heavy steel plates, resulting in deaths and permanent disabilities. “The August 14 incident is another example of this continuing pattern,” BAPA said.
Citing its own assessment, the organisation said 161 workers have been killed in shipbreaking yards in Chattogram since 2014.
“These incidents cannot simply be dismissed as accidents. Rather, each death is a killing caused by negligence,” BAPA said.
BAPA President Prof Dr Nur Mohammad Talukder and General Secretary Md Alamgir Kabir signed the statement.
The organisation urged the authorities to conduct an impartial investigation into the latest accident and identify those responsible.
It also demanded that those found responsible be brought to justice, while ensuring adequate financial compensation for the families of the workers killed and proper treatment for those injured.
The latest incident has again raised questions over occupational safety in Bangladesh’s ship recycling industry, where workers routinely handle large vessels containing hazardous materials and potentially dangerous gases.