Authorities have finally decided to award Rs2m ($19,000) to the families of the victims from the November 1 fire at the Gadani shipbreaking centre in Pakistan.
While there are 26 confirmed dead, four men are still not accounted for, and a number of workers’ rights groups insist the death toll from the four day-blaze at a beached FSO was far higher.
A second explosion occurred last week. Fortunately the welding error on an LPG tanker did not result in any loss of life.
Authorities and stakeholders in the various plots at Gadani have vowed to improve safety conditions in the area during a tripartite meeting with workers.
An ambulance will be stationed at each yard while workers will be given helmets, dungarees, safety shoes and gloves to carry out their ship dismantling work.
