Coast Guard rescues 300 passengers from stranded vessel in Bhola

Bangladesh Coast Guard has rescued 300 passengers from a stranded bulkhead vessel near Ilisha launch ghat in Bhola.

The coastguard confirmed the development in a press release today.

Lieutenant Commander Siyam-Ul-Haque, the Coast Guard's media officer, said that the bulkhead, MB Zakaria Jihad-1, en route from Lakshmipur to Ilisha, got stuck on a submerged shoal near the Ilisha launch ghat in Bhola's Sadar upazila around 8:00pm.

He said, "One of the passengers contacted the Coast Guard via mobile phone for assistance. Upon receiving the information, a five-member rescue team from Bangladesh Coast Guard Station Ilisha was immediately dispatched to the scene," said Lt Commander Siyam.

The rescue team evacuated all the 300 passengers without any casualties and transported them to Ilisha launch ghat.

The passengers expressed their gratitude to the Coast Guard for their prompt response.

Authorities later found that the bulkhead was carrying passengers without proper authorisation or a fitness certificate.

Additionally, it was overloaded beyond its capacity. As a result, the vessel was seized, and three crew members were detained.

Legal action against them is underway, reads the Coast Guard press release.

The Coast Guard reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring public safety in coastal and riverine areas and pledged to continue such operations in the future.