Five tourists died after two groups of visitors were swept away while bathing in the sea near Pechardwip yesterday afternoon.
A scenic view of Himchhari Beach in Cox’s Bazar from atop a hill. Photo: Md Towhidul Islam/TBS
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A scenic view of Himchhari Beach in Cox’s Bazar from atop a hill. Photo: Md Towhidul Islam/TBS
The death toll from yesterday’s (21 October) drowning incident in Cox’s Bazar rose to five after beach workers recovered the body of the last missing tourist near Kolatoli tonight (22 October).
The deceased, SM Nafisur Rahman Nibir, 20, went missing yesterday afternoon while bathing in the sea near Marina Resort and the Fisheries Museum in Pechardwip along Marine Drive.
His body was recovered from Bhangarmukh near Kolatoli after locals spotted it floating towards the shore with the tide and alerted beach workers and police.
Beach workers recovered the body, which was later identified by his relatives at the scene.
Nibir was the son of Nabibur Rahman of Azimpur in Dhaka.
Earlier in the day, the body of another missing tourist, Mohammad Harun, 20, was recovered from Himchhari beach along Marine Drive.
The three other tourists who died in the incident were Al Mahibur Ibn Mokarram, 24, and Saibul Haque Jisan, 23, both from Uttara in Dhaka, and Md Akash from Bayezid Bostami in Chattogram.
According to their relatives, Jisan was a student of computer science and engineering at the Islamic University of Technology, while Mahibur was studying business administration at Bangladesh University of Professionals.
Yesterday afternoon, two groups of tourists, one comprising seven people and the other five, entered the sea near Marina Resort and the Fisheries Museum at Pechardwip.
Locals said outgoing tidal currents swept the tourists away.
Three tourists were rescued dead, while another was rescued in critical condition. One person from each group remained missing after the incident.
Mahbub Alam, supervisor of the beach workers under the district administration, said lifeguards, beach workers, fire service personnel and police had continued search and rescue operations since two tourists went missing after entering the sea near Marina Resort, beside the Fisheries Museum in Pechardwip along Marine Drive, yesterday afternoon.
Ramu Upazila Nirbahi Officer Zillur Rahman earlier said the beach was secluded and local fishermen had repeatedly warned the tourists against entering the sea, but they ignored the warnings.
Beach workers, lifeguards, fire service personnel and police continued search operations after the incident. With the recovery of Nibir’s body last night, both missing tourists had been found.
