Specialized investigation team boards ship three days after accident
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Three days after the accident, an investigation team boarded the MT Rashi at Ferdous Steel Yard in Sitakunda for the first time on Monday. As part of the investigation, several members of a specialized expert team boarded the ship wearing protective clothing and masks and began collecting samples.
Nine workers were killed last Friday when gas leaked from a ballast tank in the engine room while the ship was being cut. At least 10 others were injured. Following the incident, the Ministry of Industries formed an 11-member investigation committee headed by Additional Secretary AKM Benjamin Riazi. The district administration and the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association, also formed separate committees.
The Ministry of Industries committee has been working for the past two to three days. However, its members had not boarded the ship until then. On Sunday night, the Ministry of Industries formed a separate expert committee. BUET Professor Mohammad Yasir Arafat Khan of the Department of Chemical Engineering was appointed as its head. The committee also includes Bangladesh Maritime University Director Captain Mohammad Shoaib Ahmad and Assistant Explosives Inspector of the Department of Explosives Mohammad Mehedi Islam Khan.
Members of the committee visited the yard for the first time today. The head of the main investigation committee, Additional Secretary AKM Benjamin Riazi, was also present. The specialized team boarded the ship and began its work.
The head of the team, BUET Professor Mohammad Yasir Arafat Khan, told Agamir Somoy, “We have started our work. We boarded the ship today. We are collecting samples. We boarded the ship wearing safety PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). The tide and adverse weather caused some difficulties. However, sample collection will continue tomorrow as well. For now, I do not want to comment on the matter.”
In response to a question, he said, “Our committee basically has three members. However, after coming here, we found that it had been expanded to eight members. Whether we will work in coordination with the main committee or independently will become clear after the sample collection.”
It is learned that tomorrow, Tuesday, expert teams from two private salvage companies will conduct gas measurement tests in the relevant section of the ship. They will carry out the work as part of the specialized committee.
Additional Secretary AKM Benjamin Riazi, head of the Ministry of Industries investigation committee, told the media at the yard, “We are conducting the investigation carefully. We are also looking into the safety aspect.”
