Sunken cargo vessel yet to be salvaged
STAFF REPORTER
The cargo vessel that capsized on Saturday night in the Pashur river in Mongla upazila near the Sundarbans is yet to be salvaged. The owner of that sunken vessel, MV-Bilash, visited the spot for survey purposes, Commander Wali Ullah, harbour master of Mongla Port, told The Independent yesterday. The forest department of Khulna region has urged the Mongla Port Authority to remove the sunken vessel immediately.
The vessel owner has been given 15 days to remove the vessel from the channel. However, it would take some time as special equipment is required for the salvage operation. A bus or truck can be salvaged within a few hours after accidents, but more time is needed to salvage such sunken vessels, Wali Ullah said in reply to a query.
He also said that the vessel owner has promised to remove the vessel within seven days.
The vessel, which was carrying 775 tonnes of coal, capsized in the river around 10pm on Saturday. The incident occurred as the cargo vessel was following a wrong route and got stuck in a hidden shoal.
On receiving information, members of Mongla Coast Guard, along with the rescue vessel Shib Shah, reached the spot and rescued seven crew members from the capsized vessel.
Amir Hossain Chowdhury, forest conservator of the Khulna region, said they have formed a one-member probe committee to investigate the incident and asses the environmental loss.
