Ethiopian stowaway aboard Bangladesh-bound cargo vessel

Kendrapada: Immigration officials at Paradip Port detected a 40-year-old Ethiopian stowaway aboard Bangladesh-bound cargo vessel MV Akij Pearl (IMO 9291080) on Monday, police said on Tuesday.The bulk carrier, built in 2005 and sailing under the Bangladesh flag, had arrived from Djibouti carrying limestone. During preliminary inquiry, the man was identified as Abay Tadess Andnet, who allegedly sneaked into the vessel at Djibouti port on Dec 30 last year.The ship’s captain alerted immigration, customs, port authorities, police and other agencies about the stowaway. Security was tightened at the port following the detection. Officials from CISF, Coast Guard, marine police, customs and port authorities jointly questioned the man.“After completion of formalities, the vessel sailed for Chittagong port in Bangladesh on Tuesday,” said Paradip police station IIC Babita Dehuri.During interrogation, the man told officials that extreme poverty in his country had forced him to take the risk in search of better economic opportunities in a developed nation. Police said standard protocol was followed, with information shared with relevant port and security agencies across the state and the Centre.The incident has raised security concerns at Paradip Port, with locals flagging the need for stricter surveillance.