Cox’s Bazar, Dec 27 (V7N) — A fire broke out on a St Martin–bound passenger vessel early Saturday morning while it was anchored near the BIWTA jetty at Nuniachhara on the Bakkhali River in Cox’s Bazar. The vessel, identified as The Atlantic Cruise, caught fire at around 7:00 am, authorities said.

No casualties were reported as there were no passengers on board at the time of the incident. The fire caused extensive damage to the vessel, which has been described as completely destroyed.
 
The incident was confirmed by Executive Magistrate and Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tanzila Tasnim, she said firefighting operations were underway immediately after the blaze was detected. She added that the absence of tourists on the vessel helped prevent loss of life.
 
As of 9:00 am, the fire had not yet been fully brought under control, according to Md Abdul Wakil, an official of the BIWTA Cox’s Bazar River Port. Multiple firefighting units continued efforts to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby vessels or structures.
 
Hossain Islam Bahadur, General Secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh, also confirmed the fire incident involving the St Martin route cruise ship.
 
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Authorities said an investigation would be launched once the fire is fully extinguished and the situation is brought under control.
 
END/SIC/SMA/