Cox’s Bazar: The Cox’s Bazar sea beach has become a hotbed of tourists during the Eid holidays as it is filled with massive crowd who are thirsty for travel. However, despite the red flag being hoisted as a warning due to the formation of holes in the sea and the strong current, most tourists are ignoring it and entering the sea. As a result, 4 persons, including 3 tourists, have died in the last two days while bathing.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a visit to Sugandha Point in Cox’s Bazar around 4 pm showed a huge crowd on the beach. More than 200,000 tourists gathered on the beach, which is about 3 kilometres long. Tourists from different parts of the country have rushed to Cox’s Bazar with their families on the occasion of the holidays. Some are jumping into the sea, while others are taking pictures or playing games on the sand.
Talking to BSS, Raisa Rahman, a tourist from Dhaka, shared that she came to Cox’s Bazar with her family because the Eid vacation is long. Another tourist, Abdullah Baki, expressed his delight, saying that Cox’s Bazar always feels new, with activities like beach biking, jet skiing, and horse riding. Rubina Alam highlighted the scenic beauty of Marine Drive, Himchhari, and Inani, considering Cox’s Bazar the best place for an Eid vacation.
Meanwhile, the sea has been rough for a few days. Holes have formed in some parts, and there is a pull of the opposite current in some places. Although red flags have been hoisted in the sea area informing about this risk, most tourists are ignoring it and going into the sea. Sea-Safe Life Guard senior worker Mohammad Zahirul Islam emphasized the importance of tourists being aware of safety, despite the efforts made by their team.
Hotel and restaurant owners are bracing for an influx of visitors, estimating at least four lakh tourists over three consecutive days and more than five lakh more in the following week. With 95 percent of the rooms already booked for the initial days, the total number of tourists expected during the 10-day Eid holiday stands at nine lakh. The maximum daily capacity of local accommodations is one lakh 87 thousand, and preparations have been made to welcome tourists, albeit without special discounts on room rent.
Masudur Rahman, sub-inspector of the Cox’s Bazar Zone of the Tourist Police, reported that security has been strengthened due to the presence of over two lakh tourists. Efforts are being made to resolve any issues quickly. Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Salah Uddin added that the administration and law enforcement agencies are making maximum efforts to ensure overall safety, with mobile courts monitoring the collection of additional rent.