Chittagong Office

CHITTAGONG, Oct 19: Over 13,500 tonnes of imported wheat were damaged as two vessels collided at the outer anchorage of Chittagong port on Saturday night.

Strong tide might have dragged Panama flag vessel MV Western Santiago to heavily dash against MV Zhin Chen Hai causing heavy damage to the latter vessel and its cargo, port officials said.

"Two holds of Zhen Chin have been cracked and 13,500 MT of wheat in those two holds damaged after water entering through the cracks," an official told the FE.

Western Santiago came with 44,000 MT and Zhin Chen 25,720 MT wheat from Russia last week.

Meanwhile UNB adds from Bagerhat, a sand-laden cargo vessel capsized in the Mongla River early Monday.

Port sources said vessel MV Erectus, carrying over 600 tonnes sand, suddenly sank in the river at around 1:30am.

However, no casualty was reported in the incident.

Port sources said the vessel was heading towards Mongla from Sylhet.

Confirming the incident M Faruk, Chairman of Mongla Port authority, said operation was on to salvage the vessel.