Lighter vessel capsizes in Rupsha river
A lighter vessel with 1,050 tonnes of cement clinkers capsized in the Rupsha river near Khanjahan Ali Bridge in Khulna yesterday, spilling oil over a vast area.
Anchored MV BB-1134 sank after it had developed a crack in its hull, said Enayet Hossain Mannan, commanding officer of Rab-6.
All 11 workers and crew members were rescued, he added.
Rabiul Islam, master of the vessel which had over 1,700 litters of oil, told The Daily Star that during loading the vessel at Harbaria point in the Sundarbans, they felt something was wrong but thought to run a check after unloading it at its destination, Seven Rings Cement Factory.
The authorities showed gross negligence by sailing the vessel without fixing the problem, said Rab.
Sanower Hossain, joint director, BIWTC, said the vessel needs to be removed from the river immediately to maintain safe and smooth sailing of other vessels.
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