Two die after falling sick in shipbreaking yards

Two employees, including a security guard, of two shipbreaking firms in Chattogram's Sitakunda upazila died yesterday morning after falling sick at their workplaces.

The deceased -- Kranti Tripura, 25, of Janata Steel Yard, and Jolendra Chakma, 24, of Mother Steel -- were from Khagrachhari district.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Janata Steel Yard Manager Md Sohel said Kranti was a security guard at their firm. He was not feeling well after having dinner on Sunday night.

As his condition deteriorated, he was rushed to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) where he passed away around 4:00am, added Sohel.

Abul Kashem, owner of Mother Steel, said Jolendra fell ill yesterday morning. He died "after being taken to CMCH".

ASI Md Hamid of CMCH Police Box said a patient was sent to the hospital from Sitakunda shipbreaking yard in the morning.

Abdullah Al Sakib Mubarrat, deputy inspector general (Chattogram directorate) of Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishment, said he visited the two firms, talked to witnesses and found that the deaths were not caused by any accident.

ASI Mohammad Kaiser of Sitakunda Police Station said they had no information about the deaths of two employees at the shipbreaking yards until yesterday evening.