DHAKA, Bangladesh - A cargo ship carrying 800 tonnes of coal sank in the Pasur River near Mongla Port in Bagerhat due to Cyclone Midhili.

On Friday morning, the MV Prince of Ghashiakhali suffered a hull breach in the Charkana area, away from the port's main channel, according to Mainul Islam, vice-president of the Bangladesh Lighterage Workers Union's Mongla unit.

Because of the storm, the port authorities halted cargo loading and unloading.

Md Bashir Hossain, the ship's owner, said the vessel set sail for Jashore's Noapara after picking up cargo from a foreign ship at the port.

The vessel's 12 crew members were able to swim ashore.

After the hull breach, the shipmaster attempted to save the ship by sailing it onto a shoal but failed, according to Bashir.

He claimed he had suffered "a huge loss" as a result of the accident.