DHAKA, March 3, 2022 (BSS) - State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury today said extensive efforts continue at the diplomatic level to rescue or safely evacuate the Bangladeshi sailors stranded in Ukraine. 

"Optimum importance is being given to ensuring the safety and security of the crew of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation's ship "MV Banglar Samriddhi" stranded in Ukraine," he told a press briefing at the Secretariat here.

Khalid said there were 29 sailors on the ship but they lost their third engineer Hadisur Rahman. 

"The body of slain Hadisur is in our custody. Bringing his body back to the country depends on the war situation," he said.

Expressing deep condolence at the death of Hadisur, the state minister said they would stand by the family members of Hadisur and do everything possible for them on behalf of the government. 

Khalid said Shipping Secretary Mohammad Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury, BSC Managing Director Commodore Sumon Mahmud Sabbir and he talked to the officials of Bangladesh mission in Poland and the captain of the stranded ship. 

"Safety of sailors is the first thing. The ship's sailors were asked not to make any wrong decision after getting panicked. I am trying to give them courage. The Prime Minister is concerned about this. The Prime Minister has given instructions," he said. 

The state minister said Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), the Department of Shipping and the Foreign Ministry are in touch with the authorities concerned to this end.