DoE suspends environmental clearance for SN Corporation, halts shipbreaking activities after fatal explosion
A show cause notice has also been issued, requiring an explanation within three working days as to why their operations should not be permanently shut down
An explosion occurred during the cutting of the MT SWARAJYA scrap ship at the ship-breaking yard of SN Corporation (Unit-2) in Chattogram’s Sitakunda on 7 September. Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS
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An explosion occurred during the cutting of the MT SWARAJYA scrap ship at the ship-breaking yard of SN Corporation (Unit-2) in Chattogram’s Sitakunda on 7 September. Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS
On the directive of Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Department of Environment (DoE) has suspended the environmental clearance for SN Corporation (Unit-2) and the MT SWARAJYA scrap ship due to yesterday’s explosion that caused significant casualties.
Until further notice, all ship-breaking activities of the Swarajya scrap ship will remain suspended, the DoE said in a press release today (8 September).
A show cause notice has also been issued, requiring an explanation within three working days as to why their operations should not be permanently shut down, it said.
On 7 September, an explosion occurred during the cutting of the MT SWARAJYA scrap ship at the ship-breaking yard of SN Corporation (Unit-2) in Chattogram’s Sitakunda. The incident left 12 people injured and resulted in one death.
According to the DoE, initial investigations revealed violations of several conditions of the environmental clearance for the ship-breaking yard. It is also believed that conditions of the scrap ship’s clearance were breached.
