Parasailing ran without approval, says DC following tourist death

The death of a tourist in a parasailing accident at Cox's Bazar has raised fresh concerns about the safety and legality of the activity, with the district administration saying it had not authorised any parasailing operations at the beach.

Shoubhik Roy, a resident of Khulna, died after falling into the sea while parasailing at Dariyanagar beach on Saturday.

He had travelled to Cox's Bazar as part of a nine-member tourist group.

Following the incident, Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner MA Mannan said the district administration had not granted permission for parasailing activities and had repeatedly taken steps to stop operators from conducting them.

He said executive magistrates had carried out a drive in the area earlier in the week and shut down several operations because rough seas and poor weather conditions during the monsoon season made the activity particularly dangerous.

The officer said legal action would be taken against the organisation involved in Saturday's incident and stressed that the administration was determined to ensure tourists' safety.

Locals said parasailing operations had been continuing at different spots in Dariyanagar despite concerns over safety.

Akhter Kamal, president of the Tour Operators Association Cox's Bazar, questioned how operators had continued to offer the service despite the administration's crackdown and called for an investigation into whether anyone had facilitated the activities.

Farid Ahmed, who runs Sea Sports Parasailing, could not be reached for comment.