Finance Minister visits hospital to see workers affected by shipyard accident

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury visited the Chattogram Medical College (CMC) Hospital on Friday to see the workers who fell ill after a toxic gas leak at a shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram.

He arrived at the hospital around 3:30pm and inquired about the condition of the workers undergoing treatment.

Earlier, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Jahidul Islam Mia visited the hospital to console the families of the deceased and check on the treatment of the affected workers. He announced that each family of the deceased workers would receive Tk 10 lakh, provided by the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association.

The toxic gas leak occurred on Friday morning at the Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries yard in Bhatiari, Sitakunda, claiming the lives of at least eight workers.

The deceased were identified as Habibur Rahman, Palash Das, Sunny Das, Monsur Ali, Nasir Uddin, Md Khokon and Md Rana. Several other workers affected by the gas were rescued and admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.