Some students of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology went on a tour of St. Martin from Dhaka yesterday. It was the first day of Bengali New Year, an occasion of celebration. Nine students were drowned by strong wave. Locals managed to rescue five and they were taken to Upazila health complex. But two of them were declared dead by doctors. Four others are still missing. Navy, Coast Guard and police have conducted a search and rescue operation. But they were missing till the last report came in. Coast Guard commander said it may take 24 to 48 hours to float their bodies and come back to shore if they are not found alive.
All of the nine students are the final year students of Computer Science department. Warning system and immediate rescue team for tourists are not available in all the beaches of the country. About one hundred and fifty tourists have died in different beaches of the country in last seventeen years.
