Coal-laden vessel sinks in the Passur

A vessel carrying 848 tonnes of coal capsized in the Passur river near Mongla port in Bagerhat on Saturday night.

Twelve sailors were rescued from the bulk carrier, our Bagerhat correspondent reports.

The ship, MV BB-1147, sank at Banishanta area in the Passur river, one kilometre south of Mongla port, around 11:00pm, said Sheikh Fakhar Uddin, harbour master of the port authority.

The incident occurred when the ship carrying imported coal of Eastern Private Limited from Harbaria area of Mongla port was on its way to Nawapara in Jashore district, he said.

According to the port authorities, there was no disruption in movement on the route following the incident.

The operation to rescue the sunken cargo will begin in the morning today, Sheikh Fakhar added.

"We have contacted the cargo authorities. They are trying to take necessary steps to recover the coal. Rescue work could begin on Monday morning. If they want any cooperation from port authorities, we will cooperate," said Fakhar Uddin.

Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mongla Police Station, said the cargo master lodged a general diary with the Mongla Police Station. In his diary, he said the ship capsized due to thick fog and strong currents.