Excessive hydrogen sulfide caused nine workers’ deaths at Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries in Sitakunda. Photo : BSS

CHATTOGRAM, Aug 15, 2026 (BSS) - Excessive presence of hydrogen sulfide led to the deaths of nine workers at the Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries in Sitakunda here, according to the Department of Explosives.

The department's preliminary findings suggest that the fatalities were caused by this hazardous gas. Nevertheless, it is also exploring the possibility of other contributing factors, said Industries Secretary Abdun Naser Khan.

Naser came up with the development after inspecting affected site on Saturday. 

He noted the Industries Ministry, Chattogram district administration, and the Bangladesh Ship Breaking and Recycling Board (BSBR) have already formed three separate committees to investigate the incident.

The ministry committee consists of 11-member led by an additional secretary whereas the district administration and BSBR formed nine and five-member committees respectively, said the government secretary.

He said the committees have been tasked with a thorough investigation into the events leading up to and following the accident, as well as any potential negligence or failure to perform duties. 

They have been directed to expedite their investigation report. Action will be taken in light with the probe report, he added.

Naser, however, noted experts will safely eliminate the toxic gas accumulated in the accident site, stressing that every precaution will be taken to prevent further loss of life in similar incidents in the future.
 
Meanwhile, referencing the tests conducted by the Department of Explosives, the Industries Secretary reported that the ship exhibited levels of hydrogen sulfide that exceeded normal limits. 

Present during the inspection were Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia, Superintendent of Police Masud Alam, Inspector of the Department of Explosives SM Sakhawat Hossain, President of the Bangladesh Shipbreakers and Recyclers Association (BSBRA) Mohammad Mohsin, Sitakunda Upazila Executive Officer Fakhrul Islam, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Abdullah Al Mamun, among others.

Assistant Inspector of Explosives from the Department of Explosives, Chattogram, SM Sakhawat Hossain said, "We believe that the primary cause of the incident is the toxicity of hydrogen sulfide. Our joint committee has resolved that hydrogen sulfide will be eliminated from the ship."

Regarding the process of removing the toxic gas, he explained that hydrogen sulfide typically dissolves in water. Thus, as per the joint decision, the gas will be extracted by washing the interior of the ship with water. 

Earlier, the fatal accident occurred around 8:30am on Friday at Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries located in the Station Road area of Bhatiari Union in Sitakunda, Chattogram.
 
The fatalities occurred when workers encountered toxic gas in a confined section of the ship while dismantling an old LNG carrier. 

According to the Industrial Police, 34 workers and employees were present in the yard at the time of the incident. At one point, two workers inside the ship lost consciousness. When other workers attempted to assist them, they too were affected by the toxic gas. Subsequently, the deaths of nine individuals were confirmed one by one. Several additional workers are receiving treatment in the hospital after becoming ill. 

Among the deceased are two brothers from the same family -- Mansur Ahmed and Nasir Uddin. The others include Sunny Das, Palash Das, Rana Mia, Habibur Rahman, Khokon Mia, Abdul Alim Sujan, and 17-year-old Matiur Rahman Sajjad.