CHITTAGONG. Oct 9: With the latest incident, the number of vessels that sank in the Chittagong Port channel and its adjoining outer anchorage areas rose to at least 19 in the last 15 years, port sources said.

In the latest incident, a barge loaded with 280 tons of cement clinker sank in the River Kar-naphuli near the main channel on Tuesday morning

The barge sank while unloading imported cement clinker for a private cement company brought by a ship at the outer anchorage. However, ship movement was not hampered after the incident.

Four of the vessels sank in the outer anchorage while the rest in the River Karnaphuli near the port channel.

The ill-fated vessels, except the latest one. are MV Sagar (1984): MV Sea Horse. MV Star Altiar. Amgati. a tug boat. MV Mahtab Jabhed (1986): MV Royal Bird (1990); MV Sea Master (1991): MV Cristal (1992): Argonut (1993); NB All. BD Arm barge-11. SM Kawnia (1993): Momin. DB Ruki. MV Monalisa (1996); and MV Atlanta and Bandhura (1997). Of the sunken ships. MV Sea Master and barge Bondhura were salvaged.

Remains of other sunken vessels could not be salvaged.

Mercantile Marine Department has now been entrusted with the salvage work of the wreckage.

Besides, eight ships have remained abandoned for a long time in the outer anchorage area, posing threat to smooth and safe movement of ships.

Of these eight ships, 'Karia Sentosa' got stranded and later caught fire in the sea near An-wara coastal area a few days back.

Following the latest incident of sinking, the port authorities urged Mercantile Marine Department to take Immediate measures to salvage sunken ships from the Karnaphuli.