More than 1,200 tourists stranded on St Martin's Island due to b returned safely from the island to Teknaf's Damdamia Jetty Ghat on Monday afternoon.
Earlier that day, three ships, Keari Cruise and Dine, Farhan, and Atlantic cruise, departed from the Damdamia Jetty Ghat at 10am to bring the tourists back to Teknaf.
Confirming the departure of the three ships, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority Coordination Officer of Teknaf, Amzad Hossain, said the naval movement in Teknaf-St Martin's waterway route has returned to normal after the effects of Cyclone Bulbul subsided and three ships were sent to rescue the stranded tourists.
St Martin's UP Chairman Nur Ahmed said: "We checked on the tourists regularly during the time they were trapped and they were also given discounts on lodging and food. But sadly, no one checked on the hundreds of people of the island who were stranded in Teknaf."
Later, Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Saiful Islam confirmed the safe return of the tourists.
