Legal notice served to stop risky, unsafe parasailing in Cox's Bazar

A legal notice has been sent to the relevant government authorities demanding the immediate suspension of unsafe parasailing activities on Cox's Bazar beach, legal action against the concerned operators, and ensuring international-standard safety measures for adventure tourism in the future.

Advocate Nishat Farzana, a Supreme Court lawyer, sent the notice on Tuesday, August 4. The notice said the death of a tourist on August 1 after being thrown off during parasailing at Darianagar beach in Himchhari area exposed serious weaknesses in the tourism safety system.

The notice stated that parasailing is being operated by various private companies on Cox's Bazar beach without required safety measures, trained operators or standard equipment. Despite multiple accidents in the past, the authorities have failed to ensure effective monitoring and control, it alleged.

It further said that after the recent accident, the administration's statements revealed that the operator did not have the necessary permission to conduct parasailing. Additionally, the Tourist Magistrate and other officials responsible for tourist safety said the incident occurred without their knowledge.

The notice claimed that the continued operation of unauthorised and risky activities despite the administration's supervisory responsibility reflects administrative failure, putting tourists' lives and safety at serious risk.

The legal notice raised eight demands, including: immediate suspension of all risky parasailing activities in Cox's Bazar; verification of licences, approvals and safety standards of relevant operators; formation of an independent inquiry committee to investigate the cause of the recent accident; legal action against those responsible; ensuring more effective monitoring by Tourist Police and Tourist Magistrates; proper compensation for the family of the deceased tourist; disclosure of what action has been taken against the operator of Darianagar's Fly Air Sea Sports; and formulation and strict implementation of international-standard safety guidelines and an effective regulatory framework for all adventure tourism activities in the future.

The notice called on the authorities to take necessary steps within 15 working days, failing which necessary legal action, including filing a writ petition with the High Court in the public interest, will be taken.