A student of Chittagong University (CU) has died after drowning in the Cox’s Bazar beach, while two others remain missing.
The incident occurred early Tuesday (8 July) at the Himchari beach point. All three were first-year students of the Development Studies department, 2023–24 session.
The deceased has been identified as K M Shadnan Sabab Rahman, 21, son of K M Anisur Rahman from Mirpur, Dhaka. The missing students are Asif Ahmed, 22, son of Rafiqul Islam from Bogura, and Aritra, 22, son of Aminul Islam from the same area.
Riyad Mia, a student of the Arabic department and a friend of the victims, said they had travelled to Cox’s Bazar after finishing their first-year final exams. Around 5:30 am, they went to the beach near the Himchari museum. While taking photos, it began to rain, prompting Riyad and another friend to take shelter under an umbrella, but the other three remained in the sea.
“Despite repeated warnings from us and the lifeguards, they kept saying, ‘We’re coming, we’re coming.’ Then suddenly they were swept away,” said Riyad.
Himchari police outpost in-charge Shom Nath Basu said three friends went into the sea to bathe and were carried away by strong currents. One body has been recovered, and search operations are ongoing to locate the remaining two. The Fire Service and Sea Safe Lifeguards are conducting the rescue efforts.