Tourist ships resume operation

A limited number of tourist ships have resumed operating on Cox’s Bazar-Saint Martin sea route.

According to local sources, on Thursday morning, a tourist ship named MV Karnafuly Express departed from BIWTA ghat of Bankkhli River in Nuniarchhara area for Saint Martin.

Hossainul Islam Bahadur, in-charge of the Karnafuly ship Cox’s Bazar office, said the ship left Cox’s Bazar with 750 passengers in the morning.

Tickets are available in 10 categories for the passengers with a price from a minimum of Tk 3,000 to 28,000, he said.

Cox’s Bazar region additional superintendent of tourist police Chowdhury Mijanuzzaman said they have taken all measures to ensure the safety of tourists. A team of police is also deployed in the ship to ensure their security.

Meanwhile, more than 100 tourists fell ill in the mid-sea after three hours of departure. Some tourists said the ship has negligence on the part of the authorities. The tourists vomited repeatedly due to unhygienic condition and lack of adequate AC at the ship. Besides, no medical facilities are taken on board.

A media person, who was on the ship, said, “The ill tourists are lying down. Treatment may be available upon arrival at Saint Martin.”

Over the matter, in-charge Bahadur said there is no reason to be sick. Many times, it can cause vomiting if anyone is not experienced in traveling by ship.

However, he is looking into the matter of the ship, he added.