A man killed as a fire that broke out on a St Martin’s Island-bound cruise ship at BIWTA jetty in Cox’s Bazar town on Saturday morning.
The deceased was identified as Nur Kamal, 25, a staff of the vessel.
Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operator Owners' Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB), said the fire broke out at the anchored the vessel, Atlantic Cruise, around 7 am at the BIWTA jetty in Nuniachhara of Cox’s Bazar district town.
“Smoke was seen billowing from inside the vessel and, within a short span, flames became visible,” he said.
The fire erupted before any passengers had boarded the vessel.
Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tanjila Sharmin said the fire incident occurred in the presence of the officials of the local administration who were stationed at the jetty area to monitor the boarding of tourists as per the government directives.
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On receiving information, three firefighting units rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze.
The vessel was completely damaged by the fire.
They also recovered the charred body of the staff of the vessel from it, he said.
Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Cox’s Bazar Md Shahidul Alam said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.
A probe body was formed to look into the fire, he said adding some 180 passengers were supposed to go to Saint Martin by the ship.
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