The Ministry of Industries (MoI) has fined SN Corporation Shipbreaking Yard and ordered a three-month suspension of operations following a fatal explosion on September 7 that resulted in six deaths and injuries to six others.
Following the explosion, Bangladeshi authorities shut down the shipbreaking yard and launched an official investigation. The yard’s environmental clearance was suspended, and the company was ordered to justify why it should not be permanently closed.
Families of the deceased will receive Tk7 lakh each, while injured workers will be compensated with 12 months’ salary and all medical expenses covered. The fines were detailed in a letter dated September 18, 2024, following an investigation into the incident.
They included Tk10 lakh for safety violations and additional fines for unsafe working conditions and operational misconduct.
The MoI also provided 20 safety recommendations to prevent future accidents, highlighting the need for better safety protocols, trained personnel, and proper protective equipment in the shipbreaking industry.
NGO Shipbreaking Platform and other organizations highlighted in a statement that this incident has drawn attention to severe safety and labor issues in the shipbreaking industry.
