Lighter vessel sinks near Chittagong port, 13 rescued

A goods-carrying lighter vessel -- Delwar Al Bahar -- capsized on Wednesday night in the outer anchorage Chittagong port with 13 crew due to inclement weather.

Staff officer (Operations) of Coast Guard Headquarters Lt. Commander Md Ashikur Rahman said there were 13 crew in the vessel and all were rescued immediately by nearby lighter ships.

He said cracks developed at the bottom of the lighter vessel amid inclement weather.

Coast Guard rescue ship ‘Metal Shark’ was sent to the spot after receiving a call from the National Emergency Service.

Port authority secretary Omar Faruk said that no casualties were reported from the incident and it caused no problem in ship movement at the port.