Chittagong Port Hit by Back-to-Back Collisions as Nine Die in Shipbreaking Disaster
Chittagong confronted a difficult week as nine workers died from toxic gas exposure at a certified shipbreaking facility on the city's coast, and two separate vessel collisions were reported at the port's outer anchorage within days of each other. The city's Chittagong University added to the backdrop, with students critically injured in last year's campus clashes still facing slow recoveries, and a new AI training program offering a forward-looking counterpoint.
Nine Workers Die from Toxic Gas at Certified Shipbreaking Yard
Nine workers were killed on August 14 at the Ferdous Steel shipbreaking yard in Chattogram after being exposed to toxic gas while dismantling the LNG carrier Rasi. A 17-year-old was among those who lost their lives; several other workers were also injured. The accident drew particular scrutiny because Ferdous Steel holds certification under the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, a treaty that entered into force last year and is widely regarded as establishing minimum standards for the global ship recycling industry. The deaths occurred despite the yard's certified status, and the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, which monitors ship recycling conditions globally, confirmed the details of the incident. Adding to the gravity of the situation, Bangladesh's Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments had reportedly taken legal action against Ferdous Steel just one month earlier, following what was described as a pattern of repeated occupational safety failures at the facility. The accident has reignited longstanding questions about whether certification schemes are sufficient on their own to protect workers in South Asia's shipbreaking sector. In response, the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association has called for an independent investigation and demanded the yard be shut down pending its findings. The deaths at Ferdous Steel add to a troubling record of accidents at shipbreaking yards along Bangladesh's coastline, which is home to one of the world's most active ship recycling industries. [2]
Two Vessel Collisions in Three Days at Chittagong Port Anchorage
The outer anchorage at Chittagong Port saw two separate vessel collisions within a span of three days in mid-August, raising concerns about traffic safety at one of Bangladesh's busiest maritime gateways. The more recent incident, reported in the early hours of August 17, involved the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Anassa, which was carrying approximately 35,350 tonnes of slag and had 21 crew members aboard. The Anassa struck the Bangladesh-flagged MV Zahab Jahan, which was at anchor without cargo at the Alpha Anchorage, at around 12:35 a.m. local time. The Secretary of the Chittagong Port Authority confirmed that no injuries, water ingress, or pollution were reported as a result of the collision, and that all crew members aboard both vessels were safe. The ships were subsequently separated and moved to safe positions. The incident followed an earlier collision on August 14, when the oil tanker Sea Spike struck the bulk carrier Sun Shine at the same anchorage. Strong currents in the area have been cited in reports as a contributing factor in both incidents. Port officials have not yet released a formal investigation report, but the back-to-back nature of the accidents is expected to prompt a review of anchorage protocols and vessel traffic management at Chittagong, a port that processes a significant share of Bangladesh's international trade and handles hundreds of vessel movements each month. [1]
🪔 Cleric Issues Threat Against Chittagong's Hindu Community
A statement attributed to a Bangladesh cleric named Harun Izhar has alarmed members of Chittagong's Hindu community after he reportedly warned that Hindus would be silenced. The remark, described by observers as a chilling warning, circulated widely and drew concern from rights advocates who have long documented the vulnerability of religious minorities in Bangladesh. Hindus constitute a significant minority population in Chittagong and across Bangladesh, and community leaders have raised alarms in the past about incidents of intimidation and property disputes targeting minority households. The statement by Harun Izhar had not been publicly retracted or clarified at the time of reporting, and it intensified anxiety among local Hindus already navigating a backdrop of broader communal tensions in the country. Rights organizations have called on Bangladeshi authorities to respond firmly to such rhetoric in order to reassure minority communities of their safety and equal standing under the law. The incident is part of a broader pattern that observers say reflects rising pressure on religious minorities in Bangladesh, where secular and Islamic political forces have long competed for influence. Community leaders and civic advocates have urged restraint and dialogue, and have appealed for government intervention to ensure that inflammatory statements do not translate into action against Hindu households, temples, or places of worship in Chittagong and beyond. [3]
A Year On, Injured CU Students Still Struggling to Recover
One year after violent clashes erupted on the campus of Chittagong University, students who suffered critical injuries in the fighting have yet to complete their recoveries, according to a report by The Daily Star published on August 22. The clashes, which took place in August 2025, left several students with serious physical injuries, and those who bore the worst of the violence continue to face medical challenges that have disrupted their academic lives and personal well-being. The anniversary has brought renewed attention to what happened on campus, as well as questions about accountability, institutional response, and the support available to injured students in the aftermath. Some of those affected have reportedly struggled to access adequate treatment, while others face financial burdens associated with ongoing care. The situation at Chittagong University reflects a broader concern about campus safety and the long-term welfare of students caught in political or factional disputes. The Daily Star's reporting gives voice to those whose suffering has extended well beyond the immediate events of a year ago, highlighting the human cost of the campus violence. Advocates for the students have called for proper medical support, financial assistance, and a transparent accounting of what transpired during the clashes and why those most seriously hurt have been left to navigate recovery largely without institutional help. [5]
🎓 Chittagong University Hosts AI Workshop for Students
Chittagong University has hosted an artificial intelligence workshop aimed at introducing students to emerging technologies that are reshaping education, industry, and daily life, according to a report by The Business Standard. The program reflects a growing recognition among academic institutions in Bangladesh that equipping students with AI literacy and practical skills is increasingly essential for their future careers and for the country's broader economic development. Chittagong University, one of the major public universities in southeastern Bangladesh, serves a large student population from across the region, and initiatives like this workshop position the institution as an active participant in the country's technological future. The workshop format is designed to involve students through hands-on sessions, demonstrations, and discussions about how artificial intelligence tools are being applied across sectors including healthcare, finance, agriculture, and communications. Such events are particularly significant at a time when global demand for professionals with AI skills is rising steeply, and Bangladeshi graduates face increasing competition in both domestic and international job markets. Organizers and faculty involved in such programs have emphasized the importance of making technology education accessible to students from a range of academic backgrounds, not only those enrolled in engineering or computer science programs. The initiative at Chittagong University represents a step toward building an AI-aware generation in Bangladesh's education sector and preparing young people in the city for the demands of a rapidly evolving world. [6]
Sources: [2] gCaptain · [1] Marine Insight · [3] Firstpost · [5] The Daily Star · [6] The Business Standard