A sand carrier sank into a river after crashing into a bridge pier in Thailand.

The convoy of vessels were being transported by tugboats along the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya province on November 7.

However, one tugboat's engine failed, and the four barges were cut loose as steering them had become impossible.

A barge swerved into a pier of the Suan Nok Bridge when it was swept away by strong river currents.

The unnamed boat operator said that the carriers were being taken to Samut Prakan province from Ang Thong province.

Authorities responded to the scene upon receiving a report of the collision. They found the sand carrier submerged in the middle of the river, while a leak had sprung on another barge.

Officers managed to keep the vessel from sinking by pumping out the water.

Peerathorn Naksuk, director of the Ayutthaya Regional Port Office, said the channel was temporarily closed as officials towed the vessels away.

There were no injuries reported.