Ferdous Steel Shipyard in Sitakunda, Chattogram, has been ordered to remain closed indefinitely following a toxic gas leak that killed nine workers.The Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board (BSRB) issued the closure order on Saturday. BSRB Director General A.S.M. Shafiul Alam Talukder said in an emergency notice that a Stop Operation Order (SOO) would remain in effect until further instructions and necessary safety measures are put in place.The BSRB said it is monitoring the overall situation and will take further decisions based on the shipyard’s safety measures and the findings of the investigation.The accident occurred on Friday at the shipyard in the Bhatiary coastal area of Sitakunda. Nine workers who were working on the holiday died after being exposed to toxic gas.Initially, five bodies were recovered from inside the vessel. Four others later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.Although the shipyard holds a green certification, questions have been raised over its safety practices. Allegations have emerged that workers were engaged on a holiday and ship-cutting operations continued despite the presence of toxic gas inside the vessel.The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments had previously filed a case and issued a show-cause notice against the shipyard over various safety-related irregularities.The Department of Explosives and other agencies also reported the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas in an old LNG scrap vessel at the shipyard. The gas concentration was reportedly as high as 100 parts per million (ppm) at the time of the accident.The BSRB said further decisions regarding the shipyard would be taken after reviewing the investigation findings and overall safety situation.