3 ship-breakers die in Sitakunda

Three workers died of gas inhalation at a ship-breaking yard at Sitakunda in Chittagong yesterday.
The victims are Emran Hossain, 25, Nasir Uddin, 25, and Mamun, 17. However, Mamun could not be traced as he was taken from government hospital to a private one, sources said.
They inhaled poisonous gas when they were cutting a vessel at Pakija Enterprise yard at Baro Awulia Fultala around 10:30am, sources said.
All of them were rushed to Chittagong Medical College Hospital where the doctors on duty declared Emran dead. Of the two others, Nasir died just after he was admitted to the hospital while Mamun was reportedly taken to a private hospital by his co-workers.
"Mamun died on the way to hospital," confirmed Gias Uddin, sub-inspector of Sitakunda Police Station who is investigating the case.
Inhalation of poisonous gas caused the incident, said the doctors at CMCH.
The accident took place five days after three workers were smashed under a large iron-plate at Crystal Ship-breaking Yard on October 08.
With yesterday's death, around 14 workers died in accidents at ship-breaking yards this year, sources said.
A total of 18 workers were killed in 2006 and 2007 while 15 in 2008 itself, which shows increasing number of casualties.