Maritime Disaster Off Chittagong: Overcrowded Ferry Capsizes Near Coastal Port, Search Underway

Chittagong, Bangladesh—Coast guard cutters and naval patrol craft scrambled to coastal waters outside the primary harbor early Thursday morning after a double-decked passenger ferry flipped and sank. Maritime authorities report the vessel was severely overloaded when it encountered sudden swells near the port channel approaches. Harbor control logged the last radio contact from the vessel shortly before eight o'clock as water rushed into the lower machinery spaces.

Initial survivor accounts indicate the vessel was carrying more than double its registered passenger limit when it departed the regional dock. Passengers gathered on the upper decks as the vessel listed sharply to starboard, causing the craft to lose stability and roll completely onto its side. Nearby fishing trawlers and harbor tugs immediately redirected toward the listing vessel to pull survivors directly out of the water.

Navy divers deployed from local shore bases to conduct underwater searches inside the submerged hull. Coast guard commanders set up a temporary staging center at the nearest pier to log rescued passengers and organize medical transfers. Ambulances lined the embankment, taking hypothermic and injured survivors straight to regional civil hospitals.

District administration officials arrived at the port terminal to oversee logistics and field inquiries from desperate families gathering along the dock perimeter. Regional police officers cordoned off the entry gates to maintain order while disaster management teams processed incoming casualty reports.

Volunteers from the Red Crescent society distributed blankets, fresh water, and basic medical aid to survivors brought ashore by civilian vessels. Port health officers reported that dozens of passengers received immediate treatment for near-drowning and severe shock at the dockside emergency tents.

The Ministry of Shipping dispatched a technical investigation team to review port departure logs and assess compliance with safety regulations. Maritime inspectors confirmed that safety gear on board appeared insufficient for the actual number of travelers crammed onto the decks. The vessel owner and terminal master are being sought for formal questioning regarding how the overloaded craft received clearance to cast off.

Heavy salvage cranes are en route to the site to evaluate whether the submerged structure can be raised from the channel bed. Heavy currents in the estuary continue to complicate diving operations, limiting underwater visibility for search teams.

Search and rescue craft maintain active grid patterns across the coastal shipping lanes as daylight fades. Coast guard officials state that recovery operations will continue uninterrupted through the night utilizing high-intensity searchlights.