A case has been filed accusing nine people over the capsize of a coal-laden cargo vessel in the Pashur River in Mongla upazila near the Sundarbans. But police have been unable to make any arrests till Saturday evening.
Md Shamsul Haque, acting officer of Harbaria Eco-Tourism Center of Sundarbans East Zone, filed the case with Mongla Police Station mentioning the quantity of damage to be just Tk 12.4 lakh.
The accused include two brothers who are cargo owners - Kazi Hamidur Rahman, Kazi Hafizur Rahman, cargo master MH Faridi, driver Anisur Rahman, Sukani Abdul Bashar, geezer Aslam Hossain and Laskar Enamul Haq Uzzal Sardar and Tahidul Islam, Mr Haque mentioned. The cargo carrying 775 metric tonnes of coal capsized in the Pashur River in Mongla upazila near the Sundarbans on April 14.
Commander Oli Ullah, harbour master of Mongla Port, said Jashore-bound 'MV-Bilash' capsized in the river around 10 pm after loading on 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.
However, the salvage team started removing the coal from the ship on April 20 and a total of 150 tonnes of coal - only around a fifth of what it was carrying-removed from the capsized cargo till April 21.
With the latest accident, at least eight commercial ships sank in the river in the last five years, reports UNB.