Nine workers died after being exposed to toxic gas while cutting an old ship at a shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram, on Friday,  August 14.

The incident occurred at Ferdous Steel Shipbreaking Yard and Recycling Factory in the Bhatiary area around Friday morning. Seven other workers are receiving treatment at different hospitals, according to Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam.

The death toll rose to nine after Matiur Rahman, 19, died at a private hospital in Chattogram later in the evening.

The deceased were identified as Sani Jaldash, 23, Palash Jaldash, 35, Habibur Rahman, 51, Mohammad Monsur, 55, Nasir Uddin, 51, Abdul Alim, 36, Rana Mia, 23, Khokon Mia, 23, and Matiur Rahman, 19.Monsur and Nasir were brothers. Khokon and Rana were from Gaibandha, while Abdul Alim was from Pabna. The others were residents of the Bhatiary area.

Ship was previously used to carry LNG

Fire Service officials said the vessel being dismantled had previously been used to transport liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Such vessels need to be properly gas-freed and made safe before being cut for recycling. Officials suspect that hazardous gases may have remained inside the ship's tanks or pipelines.

Taufeequr Islam, assistant director of Chattogram Fire Service, said gases including carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide may have accumulated inside some of the tanks.

However, the exact type of gas responsible for the deaths will be known after further investigation, officials said.

Fire Service personnel faced difficulties conducting a thorough search inside the vessel as tidal water entered it. A further search was planned after the water receded.

Probe panels formed

The Chattogram district administration has formed a nine-member committee, headed by an additional district magistrate, to investigate the accident.

The Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association (BSBRA) has also formed a separate committee to examine the incident.

The investigation is expected to focus on whether the vessel had been properly gas-freed before cutting began, whether required safety measures were in place and whether workers had adequate protective equipment.

Govt vows action if negligence found

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury visited injured workers at Chattogram Medical College Hospital on Friday afternoon.

He said action would be taken if the investigation finds negligence or any lapse in safety measures.

The government would stand by the families of the deceased and provide necessary support to the injured, he said.

The yard owner has announced financial assistance of Tk 10 lakh for each deceased worker's family and pledged support for the treatment of the injured.

The incident has once again raised questions over worker safety in Sitakunda's shipbreaking industry, particularly regarding the proper removal of residual gases and hazardous substances from old vessels before dismantling.