Boat capsizes with four members of a New Zealand family in Cox’s Bazar, one missing

Four members of a New Zealand family fell into the water after their wooden boat capsized due to the impact of waves at the mouth of Sonadia Channel in Cox’s Bazar. Local fishermen managed to rescue three members of the family alive, but a 16-year-old boy is still missing.

Coast Guard and Fire Service members were continuing the operation to rescue him until the afternoon on Tuesday (August 25).

Police said that around 9:15am on Tuesday the four-member family from New Zealand was going towards Sonadia Island of Maheshkhali from Nazirartek coast on a wooden boat. On reaching the mouth of Sonadia Channel the boat suddenly started rocking due to the impact of big waves. At one stage the boat overturned due to the wave impact and all four fell into the water.

Fishermen on fishing boats nearby at the time of the incident quickly came forward and started rescue efforts. Through their efforts three persons including two women were rescued alive. Later they were handed over to the Coast Guard. The three rescued persons are Edward, 74, Bella, 36, and Ralph, 13. They are being given treatment in hospital.

However, no trace of the other member of the family, teenage Albert, 16, has been found. Search was conducted in various areas of the channel until 5pm but he could not be found. Coast Guard and Fire Service members are jointly conducting the operation to rescue the missing teenager. A diver team has also taken part in the search.

Local fishermen said that the New Zealand family had been touring various areas of Cox’s Bazar, Maheshkhali and Sonadia for a few days. On Tuesday morning they set out from Nazirartek towards Sonadia by boat. The accident occurred right after reaching the mouth of the channel. As the fishermen nearby reached the spot quickly, it was possible to rescue three persons.

Officer-in-Charge of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station Sheikh Mohammad Ali said that three foreigners have been rescued alive in the boat capsize incident. The rescue operation in search of the missing teenager is continuing. Dolan Acharya, Senior Station Officer of Cox’s Bazar Fire Service Station, said that after receiving the information a special team went to the spot and started the search, and a diver team is working in search of the missing teenager.