Tourist drowns while bathing at Cox’s Bazar beach

A tourist has died after drowning while bathing in the sea at Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach on Thursday afternoon.

The deceased was identified as Mehedi Hasan Abir, 26, a resident of Aziznagar area in Bandarban district. He was employed at a CCTV camera shop in Riazuddin Bazar in Chattogram.

According to locals, Abir arrived in Cox’s Bazar earlier in the day with three friends, Ariful Islam, Tanzin and Maruful Hasan Ripon, for a trip.

At around 2:00 PM, they went into the water at Sugandha Beach for a swim and Abir went missing amid strong waves.

Later at around 5:00 PM, his body was found floating near the shore after nearly three hours of searching.

Cox’s Bazar Sea Safe Lifeguard unit quickly recovered him and took him to a nearby hospital, where the on-duty doctors declared him dead.

Imtiaz Ahmed, field team leader of the lifeguard service, said that despite repeated warnings, many tourists continue to ignore safety guidelines while entering the sea.

Confirming the death, Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Md Chomiuddin said the body will be handed over to the victim’s family, and an unnatural death case will be filed.

SU/AM