A cargo vessel carrying 914 metric tonnes of fly ash, material used for cement production, sank in the Pashur River near Mongla Port early Friday.
Authorities concerned confirmed that the incident happened at the confluence of the Mongla and Pashur rivers at around 6am.
Mohammad Shawkat Sheikh, sailor of the sunken cargo MV Mizan-01, said their vessel was anchored in the Pashur channel when another lighter cargo vessel MV Alam Gulshan-02, collided with it, leading to its sinking.
The affected-vessel had been loaded in Kolkata’s Bhandel area and was en route to Bashundhara terminal in Narayanganj, with a scheduled stoppage at Mongla Port, he said.
The sailor also said that the collision caused damages to both the side and bottom of their vessel, resulting in submerging.
All 10 crew members managed to swim ashore and are safe.