COX'S BAZAR, Oct 24: The Navy jetty at Inani Beach in Ukhia, Cox's Bazar, collapsed on Thursday under the impact of the turbulent sea waves caused by the approaching cyclone 'Dana'.
The coast of Cox's Bazar became very turbulent due to the storm in the Bay of Bengal. The wave height was seven to eight feet higher than normal and was hitting the shore.
A part of the several hundred feet long jetty built by the Bangladesh Navy at Inani Beach on the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive collapsed. The rest of the jetty might also be damaged if a cyclone hit. The collapse of the jetty made tourist trips to St Martin's uncertain. From Nove-mber 1, several ships are supposed to sail to St. Martin's Island with tourists from the jetty.
Ukhia Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Tanvir Hossain confirmed it. He said that the cause of the accident was being investigated.
Locals said that the sea was rough due to the effect of the cyclone in the Bay of Bengal.
An employee of the hotel Royal Tulip, adjacent to the jetty, said three small boats were operating at the jetty for several days. The accident might have happened due to the failure of these boats to move.
The Bangladesh Navy constructed the jetty for the 2020 International Naval Exercise. Since then, local environmentalists have been protesting against the construction of a jetty bisecting the long beach. In 2022, the High Court ruled to remove the jetty in view of a writ filed by ANM Helal Uddin, president of environmentalist organisation Cox's Bazar Citizens Forum.
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