A cargo ship carrying 775 metric tonnes of coal capsized in the Pashur River in Mongla upazila near the Sundarbans on Saturday night, reports UNB. Commander Oli Ullah, harbour master of Mongla Port, said Jashore-bound 'MV-Bilash' capsized in the river around 10pm after loading coal from mother vessel MV-Observatory at the port. The incident occurred as the cargo was following a wrong route and stuck in a hidden char (island), he added.

On information, members of Mongla Coast Guard and salvage vessel Shib Shah reached the spot and rescued seven staff, including sailors and crew, from the capsized vessel, said Commander Oli Ullah.

Mongla Port authority chairman commodore AKM

Faruk Hasan said they ordered the owners to salvage the cargo within next 15 to 20 days. If they fail to do so the port authorities will sell it in auction and then they will workto retrieve the cargo, he said.

Mahmudul Hasan, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Sundarbans East Zone, said the accident spot is very close to the Sundarbans and the coal mixed water is spreading to different parts of the mangrove forest.

Assistant forest conservator of Chadpai Range Shaheen Kabir has been asked to assess the possible impact of coal-mixed water on wildlife, he said.

A team of forest department went to the spot in the

afternoon.