Safety a big concern for Cox's Bazar beachgoers

The world's longest sea beach, Cox's Bazar, is becoming increasingly unsafe and risky for tourists.

Tourist deaths have become a common phenomenon on the beach due to a shortage of lifeguards on the shore, lack of security for the beachgoers and indifference among them.

In addition, there is no 'diving team' to rescue tourists bathing in the sea. As a result, the number of tourist deaths due to drowning in the sea is increasing day by day.

According to the Life Guard Organisation, 61 people have died while bathing in the sea in Cox's Bazar in the past 10 years and more than a thousand have been rescued alive.

On Tuesday, Chittagong University students Sabab and Asif Ahmed died while bathing in Pechardwip area of the sea beach. Another student, Aritra Hasan, went missing. There is not much tourist traffic in Pechardwip portion of Cox's Bazar beach. That is why there is no lifeguard service here as well.

The district administration, tourist police, coast guard, fire service and lifeguard personnel are continuing operations to rescue the two missing students. But there is no diving team to rescue them. The only hope is jet skis, which are being used for the search. Meanwhile, during the monsoon season, the sea is rough and the current is strong. Therefore, red flags are hung on the sandbanks as a warning to tourists swimming in the sea. But many tourists do not follow the instructions. Due to which accidents are happening.

Meanwhile, although there are lifeguards at Laboni, Sugandha and Kolatali points of Cox's Bazar sea beach, their number is very small. There is also no adequate rescue equipment. The Lifeguard Organisation said that in addition to these three points, it is important to bring lifeguard services to other points for the safety of tourists.

Sea Safe Lifeguard Organization Project Manager Md. Imtiaz Ahmed said there is a need to have skilled lifeguards at various points from Inani, Patuartek to Teknaf. So if necessary, rescue can be done quickly and tourists can be warned. This will increase their safety while bathing in the sea.

Sea Safe Lifeguard Organization said that several accidents occurred at Pechardwip sea beach in July. During this time, a group of tourists were injured drowning in the sea. Last June, 6 people died while bathing at Pechardwip beach.

Cox's Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defense Deputy Assistant Director Md Tanharul Islam said, "If someone drowns in the sea, they will come out after some time or during high tide. We have to wait until then. We do not have a diving team to search the sea."

Tourist Police Cox's Bazar Additional DIG Apel Mahmud said, "If the sea is rough, you won't go down. Do not bathe in the sea braving current. Do not show excessive enthusiasm. Accidents are happening on Cox's Bazar beach due to carelessness of tourists. If the sea is rough due to adverse weather conditions, the authorities should make announcement that sea bathing is closed for a specific period of time."

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