Nine Killed in Toxic Gas Accident at Bangladesh Shipbreaking Yard

Nine people died and at least six others were injured in a gas leak accident at the Ferdous Steel shipyard in Chattogram, Bangladesh, according to local media reports. The incident occurred aboard the decommissioned LNG carrier Rasi, a 280-metre vessel built in 2000 and previously named HL Ras Laffan, which had been beached at the yard in July 2025 for scrapping. Workers were cutting an opening in the bottom of one of the ship's ballast tanks on Friday morning when toxic gases escaped. High concentrations of hydrogen sulphide are believed to be the main cause of the deaths, with methane, carbon dioxide and ammonia also detected during subsequent measurements. Dangerously high levels of hydrogen sulphide were still recorded inside the vessel three days later, temporarily halting investigations. Shipyard representatives said three of the vessel's eight ballast tanks had previously been dismantled without incident, though accounts differ over whether a valid gas-free certification was in place. The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association (BELA) has questioned whether the certification was properly obtained, noting that the environmental permit for scrapping the Rasi expired on 12 August, two days before the accident, without Ferdous Steel applying for an extension. The Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board has suspended operations at the yard pending further notice, while BELA is calling for an independent inquiry. According to the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, 84 accidents have occurred at Bangladeshi shipbreaking yards between 26 June 2025 and 14 August 2026, killing 15 people and injuring 81, prompting renewed criticism of safety standards under the Hong Kong Convention.