13 Sailors Missing after Lighter Vessel Sinks in Bay

Thirteen crew members have gone missing after the lighter vessel sank in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday.

Zahid Hossain, manager (operation) of 'Litmond Shipping,' said lighter vessel 'MV Akhter Banu-1' of  Abul Khayer party carrying 2,000 tonnes of wheat sank in rough seas near Hatiya, reports UNB.

The incident occurred around 8 am, about 40 nautical miles away from Patenga sea beach.

“Thirteen crew members have been missing since then,” he said.

Coast Guard and Bangladesh Navy conducted rescue operations.

Public Relations Division of Coast Guard said one of their teams went to the spot but failed to reach the spot due to sturdy current in the Bay.

Besides, another vessel named ‘MV-City-14’ carrying 2,000 tonnes of sugar sank in the Bay near Bhashanchar in Hatiya around 9 am on Saturday, said sources at Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).

It was going to Narayanganj.

All 12 crew members of the vessel were rescued with the help of another lighter ship.

Mohammad Selim, deputy director of BIWTA, said the ship rapidly took on water, more water than it could pump out, before capsizing.