On the morning of December 27, 2025, a serious fire broke out aboard the passenger vessel MV Atlantic Cruise while it was anchored at the Nuniachhara BIWTA jetty in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The vessel, which regularly carries tourists to the popular St. Martin’s Island, was preparing for departure but had not yet taken on passengers. Tragically, one crew member lost his life in the incident.

The fire reportedly started around 6:30-7:00 a.m., with initial suspicions pointing to an electrical short circuit, possibly in the engine room or electrical systems. Smoke was quickly noticed rising from inside the ship. Fifteen crew members managed to escape unharmed, but one seafarer, identified as Nur Kamal (also reported as Noor Kamal), aged 35, from Hnila Union in Teknaf Upazila, was trapped in his cabin, where he had been resting after a night shift. His body was later recovered by rescue teams.

Firefighting units from the local Fire Service and Civil Defence responded promptly and brought the blaze under control by approximately 11:00 a.m. Despite their efforts, the vessel suffered extensive damage, with reports indicating that large parts or even the entire ship were heavily affected. Fortunately, no tourists were on board at the time of the fire, which prevented a much larger tragedy. Approximately 180–194 passengers scheduled to travel that day were safely transferred to other vessels and continued their journey to St. Martin’s Island, while some were rescheduled for the following day.

The incident once again highlights persistent challenges in maritime passenger transport safety in Bangladesh, particularly on tourist routes. Common contributing factors in similar accidents include aging electrical installations, insufficient maintenance of onboard systems, and limited fire detection and suppression capabilities on smaller passenger vessels. The absence of passengers at the moment of the outbreak was a critical factor in limiting casualties.

For seafarers serving on domestic passenger and tourist vessels, this event serves as a strong reminder of several key safety principles:

1. Never underestimate the risk of electrical faults, especially in older vessels or during high-load operations.
2. Ensure regular inspection and testing of electrical systems, fire detection alarms, and portable extinguishers.
3. Maintain clear escape routes from crew accommodation areas and practice emergency drills that include scenarios with low visibility due to smoke.
4. Crew members resting in cabins should be aware of multiple alarm signals and evacuation routes.
5. Early reporting of smoke or unusual smells can make the difference between a small incident and a major casualty.

Local authorities, including the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and a committee formed by the Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner, have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause and assess responsibility.

Source: Compiled from reports by Dhaka Tribune, BSS News, Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, and other local media (December 27, 2025).