10 February, 2011High Court questions employer and government authorities following the massive explosion at the Bangladesh Shipbreaking yard on January 18, that killed four people and injured many more.
BANGLADESH: The subsequent hearing in the High Court on February 6, on the issue of fatal explosion that killed four workers and injured many in Bangladesh Shipbreaking yard on January 18, the Court directed the Chittagong Port Authority to submit an investigation report by March 6. The Court also directed the Department of Environment to submit a report on whether the ship had taken the environment clearance certificate.
On January 18, 2011, four workers died and another suffered critical burns in a huge explosion at Mak Corporation shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda, Chittagong, Bangladesh.
The High Court bench rebuked the Officer-in-Charge of Sitakunda Police Station for lodging general diary in connection with the killing of the four workers and Abul Kasem, owner of the MAC International shipbreaking yard for violation of the courts earlier ban on breaking ships. The court kept the two standing for several hours during the hearing and rejected their prayers for exemption of personal appearance.
During the earlier hearing on January 27, also the High Court kept Abul Kashem, owner of Mak International Corporation, standing in the courtroom for around five hours on charge of contempt of court. The next hearing on the issue will take place on March 6.
General Secretary of the Bangladesh Metalworkers' Federation, Nazrul Islam Khan called upon the government to punish the culprits who are continuously violating the laws and order of the High Court. He also addressed the Trade Union Forum of Shipbreaking workers formed by Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) at Chittagong.