Man killed as St Martin’s-bound vessel catches fire in Cox’s Bazar

The victim was asleep when the fire broke out on the vessel anchored on the Bakkhali River near the Nunia Chhara BIWTA jetty

A man has been killed after a fire broke out on a St Martin's Island-bound vessel anchored in Cox’s Bazar.

The fire started around 6:30am on Saturday on the Atlantic Cruise ship while it was anchored on the Bakkhali River near the Nunia Chhara BIWTA jetty, according to Syed Muhammad Morshed Hossain, deputy assistant director of Cox’s Bazar Fire Service.

The victim was identified as Nur Kamal, 25, a resident of Teknaf who worked as a staff member on the vessel. He was reportedly asleep on board when the fire broke out.

Fire Service official Morshed said three firefighting units were dispatched to tame the flames after the incident was reported around 7am.

“The fire appears to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, according to initial information from the vessel’s authorities,” he added.

Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila administrator (UNO) Tanzila Tasnim said the vessel was anchored and preparing to depart for St Martin’s Island when the fire broke out.

“There were no tourists on board at the time,” she said.

Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners' Association of Bangladesh, said about 180 passengers had been scheduled to travel on the vessel.

The fire started before boarding began, so the passengers had been safely transferred to other vessels, he added.