Committee to investigate ship explosion reaches Gadani

GADANI: A committee formed on the directives of the Prime Minister reached the Gadani Ship-breaking Yard to examine the burn site.

The committee included Federal Minister Rana Tanveer and Chief Secretary Balochistan.

Rana Tanveer said that six to seven people from the ship are still missing. He added that an investigation report will be submitted to the Prime Minister in 15 days.

At least 20 people were killed and 58 injured when its fuel tank exploded on November 1.

Fire at an oil tanker in the Gadani Ship-breaking yard was put out on the fourth day.

The MTSS ship with a Nairobi flag had reached Gadani carrying 19 Indian crew members on October 22. The same day the crew left the ship, sources said.

The ship was bought by owner of Ghafoor and Company Abdul Ghafoor, who has been missing since the incident. Police has arrested the contractor who was dealing with the workers.

A case on behalf of the government has been filed at the Gadani police station. According to police four suspects have been named in the case.

The suspects include Chaudhry Ghafoor, Muhammad Hafeez, Contractor Jalal and Farooq Bangali.

One of the suspects, Hafeez has been arrested by police.

Labourers in Gadani often work in poor conditions without basic protective gear.

Suspicions of petrol smuggling

According to Federal Minister of Ports and Shipping Hasil Bizenjo, at the time of incident there were lubricants and petrol present inside the ship.

“There were reports of petrol smuggling through the ship-breaking yard,” he said.