Nine people have died in a serious accident at a shipbreaking yard in Chattogram (Bangladesh). At least six others were injured.
According to local media reports, toxic hydrogen sulphide was released on board a decommissioned LNG carrier. The serious accident occurred at the Ferdous Steel shipyard on board the LNG carrier “Rasi”, which was built in 2000. The 280-metre-long vessel, which had previously sailed under the name “HL Ras Laffan”, had been beached in Chattogram in July 2025 for scrapping.
According to reports in the Bangladeshi media, workers were already working on one of the ship’s ballast tanks on Friday morning. Toxic gases escaped whilst they were cutting an opening in the bottom of the tank. A high concentration of hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) is believed to be the main cause of the deaths.
Gas exposure: Nine dead
Nine people lost their lives as a result of exposure to the gases. At least six others were injured. Various measurements taken on board detected not only hydrogen sulphide but also methane, carbon dioxide and ammonia. Even three days after the accident, dangerously high concentrations of H₂S were still being detected inside the ship. Investigations had to be temporarily suspended due to the high levels of the gas.
According to shipyard representatives, three of the eight ballast tanks had previously been dismantled without any similar incidents. However, there are conflicting reports regarding the gas-free certification. According to local media reports, representatives of the relevant authorities stated that the ship had been inspected and certified prior to the start of the scrapping work and that no dangerous gases had been detected during that inspection. The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers’ Association (BELA), however, expressed doubts that the required gas-free certification had been obtained.
The authorities have launched several investigations into the accident. The Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board ordered operations at Ferdous Steel to be suspended until further notice. BELA is also calling for an independent investigation. According to local media reports, the environmental permit for the scrapping of the “Rasi” had also expired on 12 August – two days before the accident. Ferdous Steel is said not to have applied for an extension by that date.
Ship recycling under scrutiny
The accident has reignited a debate in Bangladesh about safety in ship recycling. According to data from the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, there have been a total of 84 accidents at Bangladeshi ship recycling facilities between 26 June 2025 and 14 August 2026, since the Hong KongConvention on the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships on 26 June 2025 until 14 August 2026, a total of 84 accidents have been recorded at Bangladeshi shipbreaking yards. Fifteen people lost their lives and 81 were injured.
BELA used the accident as an opportunity to once again criticise the level of protection provided by the Hong Kong Convention. The organisation doubts that the current regulations and their implementation ensure adequate protection for workers at shipbreaking yards.
