A cargo vessel carrying 1,250 metric tons of coal has sunk in the Pashur River near the Harbaria area of the Sundarbans' Chandpai range after colliding with an oil tanker. The accident occurred on Monday night in the Sundarir Kotha area of the river. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported.
The sunken vessel, named MV Phulbaria, was transporting coal from the foreign commercial ship MV Yas Jupiter stationed at Hiron Point to Badamtoli in Dhaka. According to Mongla Port sources, while navigating the Pashur channel, the vessel collided with the oil tanker MT Jannatul Ferdous near the Sundarir Kotha area, tearing open its hull.
Md. Sakib Kazi, the helmsman (sukani) of MV Phulbaria, told Chitra Post, "We were coming towards Mongla after loading coal from Hiron Point. It was around 9:30 PM. A bunker [tanker] named Jannatul Ferdous was heading downstream. It lost control and collided with our vessel, which cracked our deck and caused water to rush in."
He added that although they attempted to steer the sinking vessel toward the riverbank, it began to submerge rapidly. The crew quickly donned life jackets, jumped into the water, and swam to safety aboard another passing vessel.
There were nine crew members aboard MV Phulbaria. Along with Md. Nayan Sheikh, a lascar from the oil tanker MT Jannatul Ferdous, a total of 10 survivors were rescued by a vessel named Rania-13 and brought to Mongla. They are currently staying at the Mongla branch office of the Bangladesh Launch Labour Association.
Md. Anwar Hossain Chowdhury, general secretary of the association, confirmed the safety of the survivors.
