A vessel carrying 850 tonnes of cement clinker has anchored near Chandpur Launch Terminal after a crack developed on its keel (bottom portion of the vessel) on the Meghna river in the early hours today.

Most of the cement clinker has been damaged, reports our Chandpur correspondent quoting the master of the vessel Mohammad Asad.

The vessel-MV Haji Abdul Jalil-anchored near the terminal ghaat around 8:00am, Mohammad Asad said.

It was heading for Holcim Cement in Narayanganj from Holudiya ghaat in India.

After inspecting the papers of the ship, Joint Director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Mahmudul Hasan said the vessel did not have fitness clearance and the incident occurred because it was carrying excess weight.