Tourist missing after being swept away at Inani Beach in Cox Bazar
Photo Collected
A 22-year-old tourist, Mohammad Sayem, remains missing after being swept away by strong waves while swimming near the Inani beach along the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive on Saturday.
Sayem, a resident of Hathazari in Chattogram, had traveled to the coastal district earlier in the morning with a friend, identified as Arman. According to statements provided to local authorities and media, the pair arrived in Cox’s Bazar from Chattogram and hired a motorcycle to travel along the scenic Marine Drive. At approximately 12:30 p.m., they entered the water near a naval jetty located south of Inani beach.
Arman, who managed to survive the incident, reported that a powerful wave suddenly dragged Sayem into deeper waters. The area was largely deserted at the time, offering no immediate access to lifeguards or emergency personnel. Local fishermen, beach workers, and a fire service unit launched a search operation shortly after being alerted to the distress call, but their efforts were unsuccessful by nightfall.
The incident has renewed concerns regarding the safety of the region’s vast, unprotected coastline. Belal Uddin, an official in charge of beach management for the district administration, noted that while the primary five-kilometer stretch of beach from Kolatoli to Laboni point is monitored by 27 lifeguards and 37 beach workers, the remaining 115 kilometers of coastline—including Himchhari, Darianagar, Inani, and Teknaf—remain largely unpatrolled. Despite constant warnings and campaigns urging tourists to avoid swimming in these hazardous areas, many visitors continue to ignore safety prohibitions.
Officials from the Tourist Police at the Inani outpost confirmed that searches continued throughout the afternoon with the assistance of engine-powered boats, though low tide conditions further complicated the rescue mission. Imtiaz Ahmed, regional manager for the private organization Sea-Safe Lifeguard, stated that efforts were suspended at nightfall as the tide rose, though teams remained on standby to monitor the area.
This incident follows a recent fatality in the region; on May 31, 18-year-old Mohammad Abir from Old Dhaka went missing while swimming at Seagull beach in Cox’s Bazar. His body was recovered the following morning near Nazirartek beach, approximately two kilometers from where he had entered the water.
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