Cargo vessel sinks near Sundarbans

A cargo vessel carrying 775 metric tonnes of coal capsized in the Pashur River in Mongla upazila near Sundarbans in Bagerhat on Saturday night, reports news agency UNB.

A Jashore-bound vessel 'MV-Bilash' capsized in the river around 10:00pm after loading coal from mother vessel MV-Observatory at the port, said harbour master of Mongla Port, commander Oli Ullah.

The incident occurred as the cargo vessel was following a wrong route and stuck in a hidden shoal, he added.

On information, members of Mongla Coast Guard and the rescue vessel Shib Shah reached the spot and rescued seven staffs including sailors and crews from the capsized vessel, said Commander Oli Ullah.

The authority of the vessel has already been ordered to retrieve the vessel as soon as possible, he added.

Mahmudul Hasan, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Sundarbans East Zone, said the incident spot is very close to the Sundarbans.