Ship master killed in vessel-bulkhead collision in Satkhira

A ship master was killed after a sand-laden bulkhead collided with a saltwater-carrying vessel in the Kholpetua River in Satkhira's Shyamnagar this afternoon (23 August).

The deceased was identified as Lutfor Rahman, son of Nura Khan of Gobaria village in Morrelganj upazila of Bagerhat.

The incident occurred around 3pm in the Durgabati area of Burigoalini union, said local residents and police.

Ali Hossain, a resident of Gabura, said the vessel collects saltwater from the sea and supplies it to fish hatcheries. 

It had stopped near Durgabati after travelling from the Bishnupur Bashtala area to anchor in the river.

At that time, the vessel collided with a bulkhead anchored in the area, he said.

Lutfor, the master of the vessel, fell onto the bulkhead and sustained critical injuries. He died on the way to hospital while being taken for treatment, Ali said.

"I knew Lutfor as he used to operate boats at the ghat. I am now taking his body to his village home," Ali said.

Local residents alleged that a group had long been extracting sand illegally from the river in the Durgabati area along the Sundarbans coast.

They said the accident occurred after illegally operated sand-carrying bulkheads were left anchored in the middle of the river.

Shyamnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shafiul Patwari said he had heard about the death following the collision and informed the naval police.

The officer-in-charge of Nildumur Naval Police Station said the ship master was killed after being trapped between the bulkhead and the vessel.