Robbers attack lighter vessel in Kutubdia Channel, loot goods worth Tk10 lakh

Amidst nationwide concern over the hijacking of a Bangladeshi ship with 23 sailors by Somali pirates, another lighter vessel was looted by robbers in the Kutubdia Channel of Cox's Bazar.

The robber reportedly seized goods valued at Tk10 lakh from MV Akiz Logistics-23, a lighter vessel carrying cement clinker, during the attack.

Though the incident took place a week ago, it came to light on Thursday evening.

Ariful Islam, senior officer (operations) of Akiz Shipping Line, owner of the vessel, filed a case with the Kutubdia police station on behalf of the company against 25 to 30 unidentified individuals on 12 March.

According to the complaint, the MV Akiz Logistics-23 had anchored approximately 4 kilometres west of the Qutubdia lighthouse after loading cement clinkers from Chattogram.

Around 1:30am on 7 March, a group of 25 to 30 masked robbers boarded the vessel from a large fishing trawler.

Upon boarding, the robbers took control of the ship, holding its crew, including the master, hostage at gunpoint. They physically tortured the crew while ransacking the vessel, looting goods estimated to be worth around Tk10 lakh.

Among the stolen items were smartphones, cash, batteries, engine-radar-echo sound monitors, GPS devices, and solar panels.

Despite their attempts to conceal their identities with masks, the robbers conversed in the regional dialects of Chattogram and Cox's Bazar.

Confirming the incident, Golam Kabir, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Kutubdia police station, said there is a specialised department tasked with combating maritime crimes. 

"Authorities are actively investigating the involvement of local pirates from Kutubdia," he added.

Earlier, on 11 March, another ship named MV Abdullah was hijacked along with its 23 crew members by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. Efforts are underway to communicate with the pirates to rescue the crew members.