Lighter vessel sinks in Rupsha River

A lighter vessel named MV Seven Circle-23 sank in the Rupsha River near Khulna after colliding with the Rupsha Rail Bridge.

However,  No casualties were reported, and all 13 crew members remained safe. The Bangladesh Coast Guard has launched a rescue operation to recover the vessel.  

According to Imam Hossain Litu, the vessel's helmsman, and Amit Kumar Shil, a greaser on board, the MV Seven Circle-23 was transporting raw materials for cement production from Mongla's Harbaria to Rupsha when the accident occurred at around 2 AM on Friday. The vessel is now partially submerged at the site of the incident.  
Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Md. Siam-ul-Haq confirmed the accident, stating that the vessel, carrying 1,175 tons of cement raw materials, struck a pillar of the Rupsha Rail Bridge, causing significant damage approximately two feet below the water level. As a result, water began entering the vessel, leading to its submersion.  

Upon receiving an emergency distress call via the national emergency service (999) and local sources, a Coast Guard team from BCG Station Rupsha arrived at the scene with a diving boat and initiated the rescue operation. Observations at the site confirmed that more than half of the anchored vessel was submerged.  

Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq reassured that all 13 crew members were safe and that the vessel's owner had been contacted. The Coast Guard continues its efforts to recover the vessel and minimize any potential risks.