Dhaka - Two workers were killed and two other injured in a gas explosion on a ship-breaking yard near the port city of Chittagong in south-eastern Bangladesh, officials said Tuesday.

Police said the overnight explosion originated from a cylinder of oxy-acetylene gas being used on the Sitakundu ship-breaking yard.

Witnesses said the blast killed two workers who were using a cutting torch on decommissioned ship.

The owners of the yard said two other workers suffered from minor injuries.

Thousands of unskilled workers are employed in Bangladesh's fast-growing ship-breaking industry, which has drawn business from all over South Asia due to its cheap labour.

Local environment groups have warned of severe pollution on the beaches in Bangladesh due to oil spillage from the old vessels. (dpa)