Death toll rises to 8 in Chattogram shipyard gas leak

The death toll from a toxic gas leak at a ship recycling yard in Chattogram’s Sitakunda has risen to eight, authorities said on Friday (August 14).

The incident took place in the morning at Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries in the Bhatiary area, where workers were carrying out housekeeping work inside a vessel. Toxic gas reportedly leaked from a tank, leaving several workers unconscious.

Fire Service officials initially reported three deaths at the scene. Later, five more workers died after being taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH), bringing the confirmed death toll to eight. Between 10 and 15 workers are currently receiving treatment at CMCH and other nearby hospitals, according to officials. 

Police have so far identified four of the deceased as Nasir, Mansur, Rana and Khokon. Nasir and Mansur were brothers. Their relative Mohammad Mohiuddin, who went to CMCH searching for Mansur, said he later learned that Nasir had also died from the gas poisoning.

The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) said it had received information that around 10 workers had fallen ill, with some reportedly dying. Police, Fire Service personnel and volunteers are continuing rescue and response operations at the yard.

Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Fakhrul Islam confirmed the deaths.

Ferdous Steel Managing Director Ferdous Wahid said three workers died at the scene and five others died on the way to hospital. The exact cause of the gas leak and whether adequate safety measures were in place have yet to be established.

Chattogram Superintendent of Police Mahmuda Begum also confirmed that eight workers had died in the gas leak, while several others were injured.

Authorities are continuing rescue efforts and investigating the incident.

According to Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), at least three workers were killed and 38 injured in separate accidents at Sitakunda shipyards between July and December 2025.