The tragic incident involving four friends from the University of Chittagong, who went to bathe in the sea after their first-year exams, serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers associated with sea bathing in Cox’s Bazar.
As of the latest reports, the bodies of two who were swept away by the waves have been recovered, while one remains missing. This is not just a personal tragedy—it is a matter of national concern.
Despite being home to one of the world’s longest sea beaches, Cox’s Bazar is becoming increasingly dangerous for tourists, posing a threat to our tourism-based economy.
Alarmingly, of the beach’s 120 kilometers, 117 kilometers are considered hazardous for visitors. Only three kilometers are monitored by lifeguards—and even then, their numbers are woefully inadequate.
As a result, drownings are on the rise. Even more troubling is the complete absence of a trained diving team or sufficient rescue equipment to save those who are swept away. In some places, red flags are raised as warnings—but many tourists ignore them. However, merely hoisting a red flag does not absolve authorities of responsibility. Stronger safety and enforcement measures are urgently needed.
According to lifeguard agency data, 61 people have died in the sea over the past decade, while over a thousand were rescued. In just the last month, six tourists have drowned. The main causes of these deaths include:
Hidden sea trenches, sudden tidal changes, rough waves, and a general lack of awareness and caution among tourists.
Particularly in areas like Himchari, hidden underwater channels create powerful undercurrents, invisible to the naked eye.
These treacherous spots have claimed many lives. Sadly, a significant number of victims are students, many of whom do not know how to swim. In a riverine country like Bangladesh, this is alarming.
As poet Sukumar Ray said—without knowing how to swim, our lives are a total waste. The lack of public swimming spaces and proper swim training, especially in urban areas, contributes to this problem.
In developed countries, sea accidents happen too—but safety standards and public awareness are much more advanced. These include:
Adequate lifeguard presence, designated safe swimming zones, weather-based advisories, and emphasis on swim training.
For Bangladesh, immediate action is essential. Key steps include: Increase the number of lifeguards in Cox’s Bazar and improve their training.
Raise public awareness about sea hazards through signage at entry points and hotspots, and via mass media and social platforms.
Enforce restrictions on sea bathing based on weather alerts, with legal consequences for violations.
Mark dangerous areas like hidden channels (e.g., Himchari), block them off with fencing or barriers, and designate alternative safe zones for swimming.
Life is precious. To prevent deaths from becoming a regular headline in Cox’s Bazar, swift and effective measures must be taken—without delay.
