17 Chinese sailors stuck in Sitakunda for days to return home tonight

Seventeen Chinese sailors, who were stuck in a ship docked at Sitakunda coast for five days, are set to return to their country tonight on a flight departing from Shah Amanat International Airport in the capital, reports our Chattogram correspondent.

Abdul Hasem Abdullah, owner of the Lalbagh Shipbreaking Yard which imported the ship, said the sailors had left the ship earlier today.

The Japanese cargo ship had set sail from China's Weifang Port for Chattogram on January 20 and was brought to the shipyard in Sitakunda on Saturday.

The 17 sailors were stuck in the ship for five days as they were not allowed to leave due to concerns over coronavirus outbreak.

Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Milton Ray told The Daily Star, "Health tests conducted on the 17 sailors last Monday found no symptoms of coronavirus. They will fly to Bangkok and go to China from there thanks to efforts by the Chinese embassy, foreign ministry and the authorities concerned."