A lighter vessel, identified as MV Samuda-1, collided with the Kalurghat Railway Bridge in Chittagong around 1 pm on Tuesday, resulting in the vessel becoming stuck.

The collision caused damage to various parts of the bridge, which was already undergoing renovation work by railway authorities.

According to eyewitnesses, the MV Samuda-1 drifted from the AK Khan dockyard on the western side of the Karnaphuli River before hitting the bridge and becoming lodged.

Upon receiving reports of the incident, Jisan Dutta, the engineer of the Railway Eastern Bridge, along with contractor officials involved in the bridge's repair, promptly visited the site to assess the damage.

Jisan Dutta stated, "We visited the spot after receiving the information. The contractor is assessing the extent of the damage caused. A comprehensive evaluation will determine the full extent of the damage."

Md Ekram Ullah, officer-in-charge of the Chittagong Sadarghat Naval police station, explained that the sailors onboard the lighter vessel struggled to control it in the strong winds, resulting in the collision with the bridge.

"While an angle of the bridge has been bent, no significant damage occurred. Railway officials are inspecting the area to ascertain the extent of the damage," he added.

To address the situation, a rescue vessel has been dispatched to salvage the stuck vessel, and the rescue operation is currently underway.