Shipbreaking continues to be a high-risk activity for workers, especially in Bangladesh.
Last Sunday, a 38-year-old man, Ahmad Ullah, died in hospital from injuries from a fire that broke out the day before at SN Corporation shipbreaking yard in Chattogram’s Sitakunda.
The fire was caused by the explosion of an old tanker being scrapped, owned by the Shipping Corporation of India. Twelve workers were injured in the fire. Six suffered burns in over 60 % of their bodies and are in intensive care.
The shipyard has suspended operations until further notice. The Department of Environment said that numerous environmental and workplace safety violations have been found in the investigation.
At least 13 other similar incidents have taken place at this site since 2010.
Translation by Giles Foster
