Investigators could not collect toxic gas samples inside Ferdous Steel Shipyard in Bhatiari, Sitakunda, Chattogram, after nine workers died there. A team linked to the investigation visited the site but found gas levels inside the ship too high to safely take samples, according to a report published on August 17.

Abdullah Al Mamun, member secretary of the Chattogram district administration investigation committee and assistant commissioner for land, said the team had inspected the location directly. He said the toxic gas concentration inside the ship was so high that sample collection was not possible. As a result, the ship cannot yet be declared free of risk.

An eight-member expert technical team has been formed to address the situation and collect evidence safely. The team expands the original five-member preliminary investigation group with three senior-level representatives. It includes representatives from BUET's Chemical Engineering Department, বঙ্গবন্ধু Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, the Department of Environment, the Department of Shipping, Fire Service and Civil Defence, the Department of Explosives, and the Marine Surveyors Association.