Trawler sinks with 300 tonnes of salt in Meghna River

A trawler carrying 300 tonnes of salt sank in the Meghna River in Sadar upazila of Bhola after colliding with another vessel in the early hours of Friday, January 2.

According to the trawler master Belal Uddin and labourer Aziz, the vessel MV Diloya-3, carrying 300 tonnes of salt bound for Khulna’s Jelkhana Ghat, departed Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar on Thursday morning, January 1. After a brief stop for lunch near the Chattogram channel, the trawler resumed its journey.

While navigating the Meghna River in dense fog, a cargo ship collided with the trawler near the Tulatuli area, causing it to take on water. The crew attempted to steer toward the shore, but it sank. All seven crew members were rescued in a smaller boat and reached the shore safely.

No casualties or missing incidents have been reported. The crew estimated the financial loss at approximately Tk 50 lakh.

Confirming the matter, Lieutenant Md Abul Kashem, media officer of the Coast Guard South Zone, said that members of the Coast Guard are currently engaged in efforts to salvage the sunken trawler.

Jewel Shaha Bikash/MHK