Cox’s Bazar Beach Lifeguard Services Face Closure Amid Funding Shortage

Launched in 2012 with support from the UK-based Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI), the initiative has rescued 807 tourists from sea currents and recovered 65 bodies over the past 13 years. Currently, 27 trained lifeguards and 35 staff members operate along a 5-kilometer stretch of the country’s most visited beach, which draws 8–10 million tourists annually.

Regional Manager Imtiaz Ahmed confirmed that all activities will cease on September 30, as donor support ended last year. Temporary extensions granted by the district administration and Tourism Ministry expire this month, with no new funds secured.

The donor had been providing Tk14 lakh per month to cover operational costs, including lifeguard salaries. Without this, the service cannot continue, leaving both beachgoers and employees vulnerable.

Local authorities have urged hotels to step in, asking larger establishments to fund three lifeguards each and smaller ones at least one. However, hotel owners remain hesitant, citing the high monthly cost of Tk14–15 lakh.

Lifeguards expressed deep concern, saying they risked their lives for years to save tourists but now face unemployment. “If the service stops, our families will starve. Who will save us?” said lifeguard Md Osman.

With lifeguard coverage limited to just 5 kilometers out of the 120-kilometer-long Cox’s Bazar beach, experts warn that the shutdown could lead to a sharp rise in drowning incidents as peak tourist season approaches.