14 missing as 2 lighterage vessel sink near Hatia during storm

Some 14 sailors went missing after two lighterage vessel sank off Hatia coast due to strong stormy wind on Saturday morning on their way to Narayanganj from Chattogram port.

The ships were MV City 14 of City group, that sunk near Thengar Char in Hatia, and MV Akhtar Banu-2, that sunk near Bhashan Char of the district. The missing sailors were from MV Akhtar Banu.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority's (BIWTA) Deputy Director Mohammad Selim said, "City Group's lighter ship MV City 14 sank near Hatia while carrying 2,000 metric tonnes of sugar to Narayanganj from the outer harbour of Chattogram port."

"The sailors on duty were able to reach the shore with the help of a lighter ship nearby," added Selim.

He also said that at the same time, another lighter ship named Akhtar Banu also fell in an accident in the area due to strong wind.

However, he could not give details about the accident of this ship. He said that the Coast Guard was looking into the matter.

Zahid Hossain, operations in-charge of Litmond Shipping, a cargo agent for the Akhtar Banu ship, told The Business Standard that the Akhtar Banu ship sank near Hatia on Saturday morning on its way to Narayanganj from the outer port of Chittagong carrying 1,800 metric tonnes of wheat.

No trace of the ship's sailors was found till 9:30 pm on Saturday, he added.

Station Commander of Hatia Coastguard Lieutenant Bishwajit said, " We have sent a patrol team to the at the site of the incident to conduct a rescue operation to find the missing sailors."