A lighter ship carrying 2,200 tonnes of scrap sank in Karnaphuli River early Wednesday.
"The ship was anchored near Sadarghat area after loading scrap from the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port for its next voyage to Dhaka. But it sank at around 3:30am after a clash with a buoy.
The high tide at that time tore the anchor rode of the ship and then the vessel clashed with the buoy," said Belayet Hossain, proprietor of Nippon Shipping Trading.
The ship named MV Barnia Prince-2 was owned by Abul Khair Group, he added. Two private companies- Genuine Enterprise and Air Enterprise have been working to rescue the ship since morning.
Port Secretary Omar Faruq said the lighter ship was coming from the outer anchorage. Suddenly hit with buoy opposite Sadarghat. The lighter ship sank horizontally, damaging several lighters tied to the buoy.
He added that the accident happened due to the negligence of the sailor. However, the channel of Chittagong seaport was not closed due to the sinking of lighter ship.
This accident happened due to the negligence of the sailor. However, the channel of Chittagong seaport was not closed due to the sinking of lighter ship. Shipping activities are normal.
