DHAKA, Sept 08, 2024 (BSS)- Department of Environment (DoE) has suspended environmental clearance for SN Corporation (Unit-2) and the MT Swarajya scrap ship breaking yard at Sitakunda, Chattogram.

The suspension came at the directive of Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Syeda Rizwana Hasan following an explosion during cutting of MT Swarajya scrap ship at the yard of SN Corporation, said a ministry statement issued today.

DoE also served them show cause notice asking for explanation within three working days as to why their operations should not be permanently shut down.

The statement, however, said until further notice, all ship-breaking activities of the Swarajya scrap ship will remain suspended.

On September 7, 2024, an explosion occurred during the cutting of the MT Swarajya scrap ship at the ship-breaking yard of SN Corporation (Unit-2) at Sitakunda, Chattogram.

At least one worker died and 12 others sustained critical injuries in the explosion.

Initial investigations revealed violations of several conditions of the environmental clearance and breaching of the condition of the scrap ship’s clearance.