Body of missing New Zealand teenager recovered from Cox's Bazar coast

The body of Albert (16), a New Zealand national who went missing after a trawler capsized in the sea near Nazirar Tek area at the mouth of the Bakkhali River in Cox's Bazar, has been recovered after 32 hours.

Police recovered the body from the sea coast near Kutub Bazar in Ward No. 1 of Cox's Bazar municipality on Wednesday afternoon. Cox's Bazar Sadar Police Station OC Sheikh Mohammad Ali confirmed the matter. The body has been sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Police and local sources said a trawler carrying four members of a New Zealand family capsized while they were out on a sea trip in the Nazirar Tek area around 9:30am on Tuesday. Local fishermen rescued Albert's father John Edward (74), mother Bella (36) and brother Ralph (13) alive. They were later handed over to the Coast Guard Cox's Bazar station. However, Albert had remained missing.

Cox's Bazar Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Tahmina Akter said the New Zealand embassy in Dhaka was informed immediately after the boat capsize. Embassy officials arrived in Cox's Bazar on Wednesday afternoon.

She further said that the visas of several family members had expired. No visa-related documents were found for 13-year-old Ralph either.

The Upazila Executive Officer said after completing legal procedures regarding Albert's body, arrangements will be made to hand over the three surviving family members to the New Zealand embassy.