No efforts yet to salvage MV-Bilash

BAGERHAT, Apr 17 (UNB): Though three days have passed, no step has yet been taken to salvage the coal-laden vessel that capsized in the Pashur River in Mongla upazila near the Sundarbans on April 14.

The owner of the cargo is yet to tell the exact time of starting the salvage work, said Divisional Forest Officer (East) of Sundarbans Md Mahmudul Hasan.

"The Forest Department is yet to start the investigation as the cargo owner did not provide them any necessary documents of the vessel, None of the owner side was available to interrogate", he said.

Meanwhile, cargo owner Md Sohel Uddin told the news agency that the salvage work would begin within one or two days and they have appointed a private company to salvage the vessel.

Earlier on April 14, the vessel 'MV-Bilash' carrying 775 tonnes of coal capsized in the Pashur River near the Sundarbans.

After the accident, Mongla Port Authorities said they ordered the owner to salvage the cargo within the next 15-20 days.

The port authorities said if the owners fail salvage the vessel, the port authorities will sell it in auction and then they would work to retrieve the cargo.