Passenger, goods transport to Saint Martin’s resumes after 8 days
Along with the food-laden trawlers, many passengers stranded in Teknaf for over a week were finally able to return home
After an eight-day suspension due to rough sea conditions, transport of passengers and goods on the Teknaf–Saint Martin's Island route resumed today (3 June).
A total of 11 trawlers departed from the Kayukkhalia Canal ghat in Teknaf, including three passenger trawlers carrying over 300 people, two trawlers loaded with food and vegetables, and six empty service trawlers.
Abdur Rashid, president of the Service Trawler Owners Association operating on the route, confirmed the resumption of service and said all vessels safely reached Saint Martin's Island by around 7pm.
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Mohammad Omar Faruk, a ticket seller for the sea route, said the weather began to improve this afternoon, prompting the restart of trawler operations.
"Along with the food-laden trawlers, many passengers stranded in Teknaf for over a week were finally able to return home. Some were seen weeping with relief," he said.
Amir Hossain, a resident of Dalepara, shared his experience, "I was stuck in Teknaf since last Monday while my family was in Saint Martin's. I feared I wouldn't make it home for Eid. Today, with the administration's permission, we were finally able to cross."
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said operations of trawlers began on the route as the sea calmed this afternoon.
The last trawler had sailed for Saint Martin's on 25 May. Later that day, the upazila administration suspended trawler movement due to inclement weather. The suspension, which lasted eight days, led to a shortage of daily essentials and created a crisis for island residents.
