A cargo vessel carrying 1,200 tonnes of coal sank in the Pashur River early today after colliding with an oil tanker near the Sundari Kotha area of the channel, although all nine crew members escaped without casualties.
The sunken vessel, MV Fulbari, was heading towards Mongla after loading coal from the foreign commercial vessel MV Yas Jupiter, which was anchored at Hiron Point in Mongla Port, according to its crew members.
When the MV Fulbari reached the Sundari Kotha area, it collided with the oil tanker and sank.
All nine crew members managed to swim to a nearby cargo vessel after the accident. No casualties were reported.
Commodore Md Shafiqul Islam Sarker, member (Harbour and Marine) of the Mongla Port Authority, said the Pashur channel remained safe and vessel movements were continuing normally.
He added that the owners of the sunken vessel were taking steps to salvage it.