Two shipbreakers have died following a fire onboard a VLCC while it was being cut up in Bangladesh, the NGO Shipbreaking Platform says.
The incident occurred today as the 300,000-dwt Greek Warrior (built 2000) was being dismantled in Chittagong.
Video footage released by the NGO Shipbreaking Platform shows a plume of black smoke rising from the partially dismantled tanker.
A spokesperson for the organisation said 17 cutters were onboard the ship when the fire occurred.
It said 23-year-old Md Jamil was rescued from the Greek Warrior but died from his injuries on the way to hospital.
The body of a second man was later discovered onboard the ship, the NGO Shipbreaking Platform added.
The tanker was the last VLCC in the fleet of Greek owner Polembros Shipping when it was sold for demolition last year.
Contacting TradeWinds, Polembros Tankers said it had no involvement with the decision to scrap the ship and its beaching
General manager George Vakirtzis said Polembros sold the vessel in Singapore, after which it was taken to Bangladesh by its new owners.
This article has been updated since first publication to reflect comment from Polembros.
