Gadani ship blast death toll rises to 26

LASBELA/KARACHI: The death toll from gas cylinder blast in a ship at Gadani ship-breaking yard rose to 26 after three more labourers suffered to their burn wounds on Sunday.

The three workers succumbed to their burn wounds, Lasbella Deputy Commissioner Zulfiqar Shah told journalists. One of them died at his home after being discharged from the hospital and the remaining at the hospital, he said, adding that over 50 labourers were admitted in hospitals in Karachi.

He said activities of dismantling ships at Gadani ship-breaking yard had been stopped.On the other hand, protesters demanded formation of a judicial commission headed by a high court judge to probe into the deadly oil tanker blast. They also called for arresting the ship owner, contractors and heads of government watchdog institutions and their trial for their negligence towards the labourers’ lives and environment.

Addressing a rally taken out from Regal Chowk to Karachi Press Club, the ship-breaking workers urged the government and their employers to give Rs 3 million each to the heirs of the dead and Rs 500,000 to each of the injured.

They also demanded expediting the search operation for the missing workers, implementing labour laws and ensuring health and safety of the labourers at their workplaces.The rally was organized by National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) in collaboration with Ship-breaking Workers Union.