Search Underway For Missing Fisherman After Three-Way Collision At Bangladesh’s Mongla Port

A fisherman is missing after a three-way collision between his vessel, a coal carrier, and an LPG tanker near Bangladesh’s Mongla Port area on November 1, 2024.

The collision occurred in the Pashur Channel near Karomjol between the LPG tanker Era Star and the coal-laden MV Mizan.

Per reports, the Era Star, which was transporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), collided head-on with the MV Mizan, a cargo vessel carrying 500 tonnes of coal.

The accident ripped the front of the Mizan, causing major damage and water ingress. The Mizan crew of eight abandoned the ship and swam to safety, uninjured.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported onboard the Era Star.

However, a small fishing boat involved in the collision capsized, and the only occupant, identified as the 27-year-old Lokman Hakim, is missing.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has initiated a search operation, deploying two patrol boats and a diving team to find the missing fisherman.

The collision, which took place around midnight, is the latest in a series of maritime incidents in the region. The Mizan stayed afloat during the incident, and the shipowner initiated a lightering operation to transfer the coal cargo to another vessel.

Local authorities are concerned about the Pashur Channel’s safety, as the government plans to deepen it. This initiative will upgrade Mongla Port to handle more containerized and roll-on/roll-off (ro/ro) cargo.

Brig. Gen. M. Sakhawat Hossain (ret’d), the Shipping Ministry’s advisor, revealed plans to build two new piers and deepen the channel to increase port capacity.

Additionally, a fire broke out last month on two LPG carriers in Kutubdia, Chittagong, forcing the crews to abandon the ship.

Another fire aboard the tanker Banglar Shourabh on October 4 killed one crew member, while a fire aboard the Banglar Jyoti on September 30 killed three people.

Reference: TBS News

Search Underway For Missing Fisherman After Three-Way Collision At Bangladesh’s Mongla Port appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News