Coal ship sinks in Sundarbans river after collision

A coal-laden cargo vessel went down in the Pashur River near Mongla, Bangladesh, on the night of October 27 after being struck by an oil tanker.

MV Fulbari sank in the Sundari Kotha area of the Pashur Channel around 9 pm. The vessel had loaded more than 1,200 tonnes of coal earlier that day from a foreign vessel anchored at Hiron Point in Mongla Port.

All nine crew members survived. They escaped by swimming to a nearby vessel after MV Fulbari went down. No casualties were reported.

The sinking occurred within the Sundarbans region, raising concern among environmental groups about coal spillage into the river and its potential impact on aquatic life in the protected forest area. Bangladesh's Forest Department dispatched a team to monitor the spread of coal in the water and said further measures would be taken if needed.

Mongla Port Authority said navigation on the main Pashur Channel was unaffected and vessel movement was continuing normally.