In broad daylight, a sand-laden cargo vessel hit one of the pillars of a bridge while crossing a canal in Kalaskathi of Bakerganj upazila, causing the bridge to collapse on the vessel.

Kalaskathi's road communications with nearby Bagdia, Kabai, Lakkhipasha, Nalua, Dhaparkathi, Kochnagor, and Dudhal villages have remained snapped since the accident.

It has affected the lives of around 50,000 people.

Quoting locals, Sub-Inspector Hanif of Bakerganj Police Station said ML Sonartari hit one of the pillars of the bridge around 11:30am on Friday.

Those inside the vessel were unhurt and managed to swim ashore. They fled the area later.

He said the bridge would be repaired once the concrete slabs are removed from the top of the submerged vessel.

Locals, however, have demanded a new bridge.

Rupok Chandra Paul, a businessman, said his business has been hit hard by the accident.

Another local, Abdullah Alamin, a fish trader, said he was incurring losses too. Such traders used the bridge to transport their goods to other places.