A ship cutterman died while working at a ship-breaking yard at Sitakunda upazila in Chittagong.
The accident took place at 12:30 am yesterday in HM Ship-Breaking Industries at Bhatiari union under Sitakunda upazila of Chittagong.
The ill-fated worker was identified as Rabiul Islam, 21, a native of Jamalpur district.
Shamim Sheikh, Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) of Sitakunda police station said, Rabiul was working at the ship-breaking yard as a cutterman.
“The worker sustained injuries on the job, when an iron plate fell on his head. Critically injured, he was taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH). However, he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at 6:00 am,” said the Officer-in-Charge, adding that a case will be lodged in connection with the death.
According to the Ship Breaking Workers Trade Union Forum, in the last eight months of the current year, 16 ship-breaking workers died on the job, while more than 30 workers sustained critical injuries.
As many as 66 ship-breakers have died on the job in the last three and a half years. 50 workers died between 2016, and 2018.
The organization also said that 25,000 ship-breakers are currently working in the 50 to 60 functional ship breaking yards in Chittagong.
