Bodies of 2 shipbreaking workers recovered in Sitakunda

The bodies of two workers from a shipbreaking yard recovered near the coastal area in Kumira under Sitakunda of Chattogram.

A Fire Service team recovered the bodies around 8:00am on Monday (January 5).

The deceased was identified as Saiful Islam and Abdul Khalek, residents of Gaibandha district. Both were employed at a local shipbreaking facility. Saiful Islam’s body was recovered in a dismembered state.

According to the Fire Service, the deaths occurred during a robbery attack, while the Industrial Police attribute the incident to an accident during ship launching (beaching) operations.

Al Mamun, senior station officer of Kumira Fire Station, said, the victims were working at KR Ship Recycling Yard. On Sunday night, they were patrolling the coastal area in a small boat ("red boat") when, according to the Fire Service, a group of robbers attacked. One worker was fatally injured by sharp weapons, and the other died after jumping into the sea in panic. Two other workers, Ashraful Islam and Rubel Hasan, fell into the water but were rescued alive.

Local residents, shipbreaking associations, and police sources suggest the deaths were caused by an accident during the launching of a new ship, which overturned the boat carrying the workers.

Industrial Police Inspector Nahid Hasan Mridha said, “Preliminary findings indicate the accident occurred during ship beaching, resulting in two deaths. A detailed investigation will follow.”