A 1175-ton cargo lighter ship, MV Seven Circle-23, partially sank in the Rupsha River after hitting a rail bridge pillar in Khulna around 2am on Thursday.
The Bangladesh Coast Guard launched a rescue operation on Friday to salvage the vessel, according to Coast Guard Headquarters' media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haque.
He said: "The lighter vessel MV Seven Circle-23, carrying 1,175 tons of raw materials for cement production from Harbaria to Rupsha, collided with a pillar of the railway bridge on the Rupsha river at 2am on Thursday, causing an accident.”
He added: “The vessel sustained damage approximately two feet below the water level, which led to water entering inside."
He also said: "Later, after receiving a request for assistance through the national emergency service 999 and from local sources, a rescue team from the BCG station immediately reached the scene and started the rescue operation.”
“Upon inspecting the site, it was observed that more than half of the anchored lighter vessel had submerged," he added.
The Coast Guard officer further said: "All 13 crew members on board are safe, and no harm has come to them. The Coast Guard has already contacted the vessel's owner, and the rescue operation is ongoing."
