Bunker barge sinks near Patenga beach
A small bunker barge partially sank at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port near Patenga sea beach yesterday afternoon, due to strong current in the sea.
All the four crewmembers were rescued.
The 18-metre-long barge named "MT Sufola" owned by Sufola Oil Supplier Company anchored at the Karnaphuli river and the port channel, sources said.
Chittagong Port Authority Secretary Md Omar Faruk said the small oil tanker while returning to the river after supplying fuel to a lighter vessel faced strong current and partially capsized near Jelepara coast adjoining to the Patenga Sea Beach around 2pm.
However, vessel movement at the Karnaphuli channel was not hampered due to the accident, said the CPA secretary, adding that the owning firm has been asked to salvage the tanker.
Sources said after bunkering 2,200 litres of fuel to a lighter vessel near the estuary of Karnaphuli, when the barge was about to return, it went out of control due to strong current and tilted to one side. All the four crewmen were rescued by a rescue vessel of the same company, they added.
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