Dhaka, June 30 -- A lighter vessel has sunk in the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram in the wee hours of Tuesday.

The vessel, named the "MV Bay Harbour-2" sank after it was hit by another ship between Buoys 2 and 3 in the Karnaphuli Channel around 3:30am.

Coast Guard personnel launched a rescue operation after the sinking was reported, according to the force's public relations wing.

Eight people were rescued immediately after the accident. Four more were rescued alive.

The lighter ship was carrying stone from Chattogram to Dhaka.

The lighter is owned by a company called Bay Harbour Limited, said Chittagong Port Secretary Md Nasir Uddin.

The port's commercial shipping route is safe, he said.

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