Shocking video footage has been released in Ukraine showing the moment a missile struck a Bangladesh Shipping Corp (BSC) bulker, killing the ship’s third engineer.

The 13-second clip on Twitter reportedly shows two dry cargo ships at anchor in the port of Olvia, before a blinding yellow flash erupts from the bridge of the 38,894-dwt Banglar Samriddhi (built 2018).

One Twitter user commented: “I hope nations that import wheat from Ukraine understand that this is an attack on their food security, too.”

Another responded: “Russia has been attacking international shipping from the start of their campaign. Without warning. Without provocation.”

Dryad Global said on Wednesday that the vessel was struck by a missile at 5:25pm local time (1525 GMT).

The dead crew member was named as Hadisur Rahman.

Another video carried by Bangladeshi media shows the crew desperately trying to put flames out with hoses.

The shipowner will not try to move the seafarers without being able to ensure their safety, BSC’s executive director of commerce Piyush Dutta told the Business Standard.

“If we do not get permission from those who are occupying the riverbank, where will we unload them and take them?” he asked.

Working on evacuation

"The stranded sailors are urging [us] to rescue them. We are working on the situation," Dutta added.

The aim is to evacuate them to Poland.

“The crew are currently on the ship. The body of the deceased sailor is also kept on the ship. Considering the situation, we feel until security can be assured, the sailors are better kept on the ship,” Dutta said.

The vessel’s condition also needs to be assessed, BSC has said.

BSC general manager Mujibur Rahman said: “There is no security outside at the moment. No one is providing security. Everyone is still on board.”

He added: “Sailors inside the ship seem safer than outside. Power, fuel oil, food are all on board. The next decision will come from the government; the steps will be taken according to the situation.”

Relatives gather

Relatives of the surviving 28 seafarers have gathered in front of the BSC office in Chattogram since Thursday morning.

When the invasion of Ukraine began, the bulk carrier was stuck at the port.

“A shell struck the ship,” said Commodore Sumon Mahmud Sabbir, BSC’s managing director, according to the Financial Express.

“The shell detonated on the bridge, where third engineer Hadisur Rahman was on duty, and killed him,” he added.

“The other 28 on the ship are unharmed and the fire has been put out,” the boss said.