In a rescue operation, 14 tourists were safely brought back to shore after their fibre boat’s engine failed in the dense fog of the Bay of Bengal, near Kuakata
The tourists had ventured to explore Char Bijoy island but found themselves stranded when the boatman lost his way.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, when the group of 14 set out from Kuakata beach around 11am to visit Char Bijoy. After arriving at the island by 1pm, the group began their return journey at 3pm.
However, due to thick fog, the boatman, Zakir Hossain, was unable to navigate, and the engine malfunctioned, leaving the tourists lost at sea.
Dr Golam Istiak Abir, one of the tourists, quickly called the national emergency service 999, alerting them to the situation. Within moments, the Kuakata Naval Police responded to the emergency.
The in-charge of the Kuakata Naval Police outpost, Md Delwar Hossain, said: “Upon receiving the information from the national emergency service, I immediately directed my officers to begin a rescue operation. We swiftly located the stranded tourists and safely brought them back to Kuakata beach.”
The tourists, though shaken, were physically and mentally well upon their return to shore.
