Nine Workers Killed by Toxic Gas Aboard LNG Carrier Rasi at Bangladeshi Shipbreaking Yard

Nine workers died and six were injured at approximately 0900 local time on August 14 after hydrogen sulphide gas overcame workers cutting into a ballast tank aboard the LNG carrier Rasi at the Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling yard in Sitakunda, Chattogram, Bangladesh. Two workers collapsed first; seven others who rushed in to rescue them also succumbed to the toxic fumes. Among the dead was a 17-year-old worker.

The yard's environmental clearance had expired two days prior on August 12. The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments had filed a separate safety case against the yard one month before the accident. The Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board has suspended the yard's operations pending investigation.

Rasi, formerly known as HL Ras Laffan, is a LNG carrier sold to the yard.