Tanker sinks, leaks diesel following collision in southern Bangladesh

Bangladeshi media reports that a commercial tanker sank and ended up spilling some of its liquid cargo following a collision with another vessel near the southern district of Bhola on Sunday, December 25.

The product tanker Sagor Nandini-2 was underway in the Meghna River when it collided with the unidentified vessel in dense fog in the early morning hours (local time) of Sunday.

The impact left a breach on the tanker’s hull just above the waterline, causing the ship to sink shortly afterwards, though all 13 crewmembers were safely rescued by Good Samaritan boats that sailed to the area to render assistance.

Local newspaper Prothom Alo said around 1.1 million litres of diesel spilled out of Sagor Nandini-2‘s hull.

The Bangladeshi Coast Guard and local fishing boat crews have been engaged in oil cleanup operations since Sunday. However, only an estimated 189,000 litres have been successfully collected from the river as of Monday, December 26.

Officials believe an undetermined quantity of diesel is still on board the tanker. Efforts will later focus on the recovery of this remaining cargo as well as the salvage of the ship itself.