43 containers go overboard in rough Bay

At least 43 containers loaded with imported goods yesterday fell off a cargo vessel into the Bay of Bengal due to rough sea condition.

KSL Gladiator was making its way from Chattogram port to Pangaon Container Terminal in Dhaka’s Keraniganj carrying 86 containers, said Zafar Alam, member (admin) of Chattogram Port Authority (CPA).

Mohammad Selim, deputy director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority in Chattogram, said the incident happened around 8:30am when strong wave struck the vessel.

It might be the case that the containers were not tied properly, he said, adding that the containers were seen floating towards Bhasanchar coast, he added.

Contacted, Abul Bashar, deputy general manager Karim Shipping Ltd, the company that owns the vessel, said they had sent a team to recover the containers.

Most of the containers were loaded with cottons, Zafar said, adding that the CPA had formed a five-member probe body to investigate into the matter.