The disaster unfolded on Tuesday morning near the estuary connecting Nazirartek and Sonadia Island. Heavy swells in the Bay of Bengal repeatedly slammed into the small vessel carrying the four-member New Zealand family, ultimately capsizing it. Local fishermen operating nearby acted swiftly, managing to pull three family members—Edward, his wife Bella, and their 13-year-old son Ralph—out of the turbulent waters. The survivors were initially rushed to hospital for medical treatment before being taken into the custody of the Bangladesh Coast Guard.

Albert, however, was swept away by strong coastal currents during the accident, prompting an extensive multi-agency search and rescue operation. Emergency teams from the Fire Service and Civil Defence joined forces with the Coast Guard to search the surrounding marine waters throughout Tuesday night. The Bangladesh Navy deployed its vessel Shapla alongside a high-speed craft to assist in scanning the treacherous estuary area, culminating in the discovery of his body at Samiti Para on Wednesday.

The New Zealand family had been staying in Cox’s Bazar for an extended period, living on a boat moored close to the coastline. According to an official from the Detective Branch of the Cox’s Bazar District Police, the family’s visas had recently expired, and they were actively making arrangements to return to their home country when the fatal accident occurred.

While the exact duration of their stay in Bangladesh remains unconfirmed by local police authorities, officers are coordinating with foreign ministry officials and embassy representatives to handle administrative procedures regarding the deceased teenager and the remaining family members currently under Coast Guard care.