One Dead, 15 Rescued After Fire Breaks Out on Saint Martin-Bound Vessel

Rtv News

Publish : 27 Dec 2025, 11:48 AM

Photo: Collected

A devastating fire erupted on a passenger ship named The Atlantic Cruise on the Bankkhali River near the BIWTA terminal in Nuniyachhara on Saturday morning.

One crew member was killed, while 15 others, including crew and staff, were rescued alive.

The fire broke out around 7:00 AM on December 27 as the vessel was preparing to dock to pick up passengers for a trip to Saint Martin.

Casualty and Rescue Operations

The deceased, identified as 35-year-old Nur Kamal, was an employee of the vessel. According to reports, he was asleep in a cabin when the fire started.

Local residents using trawlers and speedboats rushed to the scene as the ship blazed at the river estuary, successfully rescuing 15 people on board.

Fire service units and the Coast Guard reached the site shortly after. "We have recovered the charred body of an employee who was asleep in a room," said Sayed Muhammad Morshed Hossain, Deputy Assistant Director of Cox'S Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defense.

"We are searching to ensure no one else is trapped. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined."

Impact on Tourism

The incident occurred just before nearly 200 tourists were set to board.

Hossein Islam Bahadur, General Secretary of the Sea Cruise Owners Association, noted the narrow escape for travelers: "194 tourists were scheduled to travel to Saint Martin on this ship today.

Massive Fire Breaks Out on Saint Martin-Bound Ship

Fortunately, they had not yet boarded and were waiting at the terminal."

Some of the stranded tourists were accommodated on other vessels based on capacity, while the remainder are scheduled to depart tomorrow.

Investigation Launched

Authorities have initiated a formal inquiry into the disaster.

Following an on-site inspection, Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. A. Mannan announced the formation of a five-member committee to investigate the cause of the fire.

A meeting with ship owners is also scheduled for this afternoon.

"We are investigating whether the fire was caused by a mechanical fault or other factors," added Tanjila Tasnim, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate.

Vessel operations between Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin had recently resumed on December 1, with six ships authorized to carry a maximum of 2,000 tourists daily under strict safety guidelines.

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