Teknaf, Bangladesh: Bangladeshi tourists who were boarding a ship bound for St. Martin Island, fell into Naf River at 7 am on February 17, according to a security official from Teknaf.
“At least 200 tourists fell into the Naf River where 50 tourists were injured when a wooden gangway collapsed at Dum Dum Meah Terminal,” the source said.
Police and local people said at least 1,000 tourists, mostly women and children, gathered at the terminal to board the ship MV Abdur Rab Serniabat.
“Suddenly a portion of the gangway with at least 200 people on it collapsed into the river,” he said.
AMM Nazimuddin, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), the Township Officer, rushed to the location and rescued the tourists with the help of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and coastguard personnel.
Of the injured, some 50 tourists were admitted to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex while the rest were given first aid at the hospital.
Many of them lost their mobile phones, cameras, wristwatches, money and other valuables.
“We are able to avoid a huge loss of lives because there was four to five feet water in the river where the gangway collapsed,” Lt Col Md Zahid Hasan, Commander of Teknaf BGB battalion NO.42 said.
