Bangladeshi barge sinks after colliding with KoPT vessel

Kolkata: A barge loaded with fly ash registered at Dhaka in Bangladesh sunk in river Hooghly near Budge Budge on Thursday morning, after colliding with a Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) vessel. An inquiry has been ordered in connection with the incident.

According to police and KoPT, on Thursday morning the barge identified as MV Mamatamoy Maa was going to Bangladesh with fly ash. At the same time, a KoPT vessel identified as DV Rabindra was proceeding for an urgent buoy repair in the shipping channel.

KoPT authorities alleged that the Bangladeshi barge was supposed to be outside the shipping channel at that moment. But due to some reasons, the barge was inside the channel.

Seeing the barge, the crew from DV Rabindra kept on informing them to leave the shipping channel. However, it remained in the channel despite repeated messages.

Suspecting a collision, DV Rabindra had reduced the speed but failed to stop in time. After it collided with MV Mamatamoy Maa, the barge was damaged badly.

Immediately an SOS was sent and rescue teams were sent to the spot. After rescuing the crew members of MV Mamatamoy Maa, the barge was brought close to shore and tied up to two trees.

During high tide the barge went to the middle of the river and sank after tearing the ropes. KoPT authorities are trying to recover the barge.