A series of fatal accidents in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh’s premier tourist destination, has raised serious questions about tourist safety and the enforcement of safety regulations.
The deaths of 10 tourists in a fire at a resort in Inani, followed just two days later by the drowning of four tourists, including members of the same family, at Himchari beach, have intensified concerns over safety arrangements at resorts and along the coastline.
Tourism stakeholders say the incidents reflect longstanding mismanagement, weak monitoring, and poor coordination among authorities. They also warn that failure to address these shortcomings could erode tourists’ confidence in the country’s tourism industry.
Hotels, motels, and resorts have mushroomed across Cox’s Bazar in recent years, but many reportedly lack adequate fire safety systems, emergency exits, trained staff, and regular safety drills. Concerns have also been raised over building regulations, environmental clearances, and quality control.
Beach safety remains another major concern. A shortage of lifeguards, inadequate warning signs, limited rescue equipment, and weak surveillance in the hazardous areas have contributed to recurring tourist deaths while bathing in the sea.
Sajedul Alam and Samiha, a couple visiting from Dhaka’s Mirpur with their family, said tourists should be able to enjoy their holidays without worrying about safety.
Shamim Chowdhury, a tourist from Sylhet, said authorities often launch drives after accidents, but the situation soon returns to normal. Three women visiting from Rajshahi — Joya, Niha and Yasmin — called for clearer warnings at hazardous beach spots and mandatory fire safety measures at resorts.
Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, president of the Cox’s Bazar district unit of Shujan, a citizens’ platform promoting good governance, said authorities must prioritise prevention through regular inspections and strict enforcement.
“Authorities must focus on preventing accidents rather than acting only after they occur. The situation will not improve unless visible action is taken against establishments that violate safety regulations,” he said.
Anwar Kamal, president of the Tour Operators Association of Cox’s Bazar (TOAC), warned that safety concerns could damage the entire tourism industry. He called for coordinated action by public and private stakeholders.
Fazle Rabbi, an authorised officer of the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority (CDA), acknowledged shortcomings in enforcement. He said notices had been issued since 2023 over unauthorised structures and safety deficiencies, but many directives remained unimplemented. New hotels, motels and resorts were also being built at night to evade oversight, he added.
Tourism experts called for mandatory fire safety audits, regular emergency drills, modern firefighting systems and accessible emergency exits at accommodation facilities. They also recommended more lifeguards, better identification of hazardous beach areas, modern rescue equipment, drone surveillance and effective warning systems.
They stressed that forming investigation committees after tragedies was not enough. Authorities must implement recommendations, ensure accountability and introduce lasting improvements to prevent further deaths and restore confidence in Cox’s Bazar as a safe tourist destination.