Another Shipyard Accident in Sitakunda After 9 Worker Deaths

Just two days after nine workers died from toxic gas exposure at a shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram, another accident has occurred at a separate shipyard in the area. A fitter named Md Alauddin was seriously injured and is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Chattogram. His condition is reportedly critical.

The accident occurred around 8am on Sunday (August 16) at the Baraka Shipbreaking Yard in the Chowdhuryghata area of Sitakunda. A heavy piece of iron reportedly fell from above while Alauddin was working, leaving him seriously injured. His colleagues rescued him and rushed him to a hospital.

The latest incident has renewed concerns over worker safety in the shipbreaking industry. On Friday (August 14), nine workers died after being exposed to toxic gas at the Ferdous Steel Yard in Bhatiari. 

Mohammad Ali Shahin, head of advocacy at YPSA, said the repeated accidents highlight serious weaknesses in workplace safety and called for stronger government monitoring.

The Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association confirmed that it had also heard about a worker being injured in the incident.