A robbery has been reported aboard a bulk carrier while anchored in the Mongla Outer Anchorage, Bangladesh. Up to eighteen robbers, armed with long knives, boarded the vessel using ropes from two long wooden boats. A duty crew member was threatened and restrained by the perpetrators, which resulted in the alarm being raised, all non-essential crew retreating to the citadel, and notification being made to both the pilot station and the Coast Guard. Three of the robbers used the duty crew member's radio to demand a ransom from the Master, unsuccessfully. The perpetrators then broke into the stores and paint locker, stealing items of ship's property before escaping. The crew member was released and had sustained minor injuries to his neck and hands.
This is the second incident of this type to occur in Mongla Outer Anchorage this year. The previous incident occurred in July and events closely resembled those which occurred here.
|