KHUZDAR: A fire broke out at an abandoned ship at the Gadani ship-breaking yard on Thursday. However, no casualties were reported.

According to official sources, labourers were busy cutting the ship at plot No. 54 when the fire broke out and quickly engulfed a large portion of the vessel. The workers managed to abandon the ship and saved their lives.

“No one died in the fire nor was anyone injured. Everyone is safe and sound,” said a police officer at the Gadani police station on Thursday. He added that the fire was brought under control as soon as fire tenders from Gadani and Hub reached the site.

The deputy commissioner of Lasbela, Shabbir Ahmed Mengal, took notice of the incident and ordered officials concerned to conduct an inquiry into the matter and report to him. “Setting up the Gadani ship-breaking yard regularity authority was aimed to ensure implementation of concerned rules and regulations and improve the ship-breaking industry,” he said.

He also visited the ship-breaking yard and assured the labourers that the government would fulfil its promises and responsibilities to make arrangements for their livelihood.

Mr Mengal said that ship breakers should also fulfil their responsibilities in this regard and added that no negligence would be tolerated.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2017