Press Release – NGOs denounce dangerous working conditions after major explosion at Gadani shipbreaking yard in Pakistan killing at least 21 workers

Published in November 02nd, 2016

A major blast caused by several gas cylinder explosions onboard an oil production and storage tanker, beached at Gadani shipbreaking plot number 56, killed at least 21 workers yesterday. More than 60 workers are reported injured. It is feared that the death toll will increase as many workers are in a critical state suffering from severe burn injuries. More workers are missing and reportedly still remain stuck in the ship. 24 hours after the blast, the fire on the vessel is not put out.

© IndustriALL
"This terrific accident is a painful reminder of the dangerous working conditions at the shipbreaking yards in Gadani. Our thoughts go first and foremost to the victims, to their families and friends."
Ingvild Jenssen - Policy Director - NGO Shipbreaking Platform

The floating oil production tanker, ACES (IMO # 8021830), was sold to the Gadani shipbreaker by Jakarta-based PT Sinar Mentari Prima and was used in the Jabung Batanghari terminal owned by the Indonesian government company BPMIGAS and operated by PetroChina. The change of flag and name of the ship happened just weeks before it reached the beach of Gadani, which strongly point towards the use of a cash buyer for the sale of the end-of-life vessel. [1] Cash buyers, such as GMS and Wirana, are middle men that specialise in the selling of ships to the beaching yards in South Asia.

 

The Pakistan National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) has announced three days mourning and a strike at all yards. Workers participated to a rally in Gadani today, protesting against the deplorable working conditions and lack of government support to enforce safety and occupational health laws. [2] The Platform joins NTUF’s demand that all victims of the oil tanker explosion must receive adequate treatment for their injuries and that they, or their relatives, must receive financial compensation for their losses.

"Health and safety must come first. This terrible blast could have been avoided. There is a clear lack of infrastructure and equipment in Gadani to prevent such a deadly accident. Rescue operations are extremely difficult due to the lack of ambulances and firefighting equipment and because rapid access to the ship and the workers that are still stuck inside is extremely challenging."
Abid Qaiyum Suleri - Executive Director - Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform is calling for the closure of the Gadani beaching yards and for a move of the industry off the beach to areas that are under strict control, using alternative and safer methods in docks or along piers.

 

NOTES

 

[1] The flag was changed from Indonesia to Djibouti and the name from to FEDERAL I to ACES.

 

[2] Demanding their right to health and safety, NTUF also held a demonstration in Karachi on Sunday 30 October and called upon the federal and Balochistan governments to address the many breaches of international workers’ rights shipbreaking workers in Gadani are facing.

 

 

CONTACT THE TEAM
Nicola Mulinaris
Senior Communication and Policy Advisor
+32(0)260.94.420
Ingvild Jenssen
Director and Founder
+32(0)260.94.419

Related news

Brussels, Oct 18th 2021

Platform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #27

Nineteen workers suffered an accident on South Asian beaches in the third quarter of 2021.

... Read More
Norway, Dec 01st 2020

Press Release – Norwegian ship owner sentenced to prison

Last Friday, the Sunnhordland District Court in Norway sentenced ship owner Georg Eide to six months unconditional imprisonment.

... Read More
Brussels, Jun 07th 2018

Press Release – NGO Shipbreaking Platform presents Annual Report 2017

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform presents its Annual Report 2017.   The NGO Shipbreaking Platform works to ensure that vessels are recycled without causing harm to workers and… Read More

Chittagong, May 15th 2019

Press Release – Major explosion at Bangladesh shipbreaking yard kills two workers and severely injures five

A fire broke out on board the Malaysian-owned vessel BUNGA KELANA 4, beached at Mahinur Ship Breaking yard.

... Read More
MORE NEWS
Brussels, Jul 09th 2020

Platform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #22

There were a total of 98 ships broken in the second quarter of 2020. Of these, 60 ships were sold to the beaches of South Asia, where shipbreaking kept putting workers’ lives at risk.

... Read More
Brussels, Jun 23rd 2021

Press Release – Sale of asbestos-laden aircraft carrier São Paulo raises concerns

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform, Basel Action Network (BAN), BAN Asbestos France, International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS), İstanbul Isig Meclisi and Brazilian ABREA have alerted the Turkish Ministry… Read More

Brussels, Jan 22nd 2019

Press Release – The hypocrisy of better beaches: winners of the “Public Eye Investigation Award” shed light on shipbreaking in Alang and Swiss companies’ involvement

Gie Goris and Nicola Mulinaris received Public Eye’s “Investigation Award”.

... Read More
Feb 12th 2025

The Toxic Tide – 2025 Shipbreaking Records

2025 shipbreaking records: most shipping companies continue to opt for the highest price at the worst scrapping yards.

... Read More

Donate

NGO Shipbreaking Platform
The leading NGO coalition campaigning for clean and safe ship recycling

© 2019 NGO Shipbreaking Platform  |  Privacy Policy  |  Designed by Essence Creative  |  Hosted by Outfront