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A harrowing incident occurred off the coast of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, when a houseboat carrying a New Zealand family capsized and sank. The vessel, named 'Island Girl,' split into two pieces after being struck by large waves and strong currents near the Moheshkhali Channel. The boat had departed in the morning, and the disaster struck shortly after setting sail.

Local fishermen and residents quickly responded to the emergency, launching a rescue operation. They managed to save three members of the family: John Edward, 74; his wife Bella, 36; and their 13-year-old son, Ralph. However, their 16-year-old son, Albert, remains missing, having fallen into the sea during the incident.

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As soon as we received the information, one of our teams responded.

Emergency services, including the Cox's Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defence, along with the Coast Guard, have joined the search for Albert. Syed Mohammad Morshed Hossain, deputy director of the Cox's Bazar Fire Service, stated that while the three rescued individuals received primary treatment, the lack of a diving team complicated rescue efforts. Sheikh Mohammad Ali, officer-in-charge of Cox's Bazar Sadar Police Station, confirmed the Coast Guard's ongoing search operation.

According to the family, the 'Island Girl' was a custom-built houseboat costing over Tk 1 crore (approximately $85,000 USD), equipped with modern amenities. It took about two years to build and was intended for private sea travel. The family had been living aboard the vessel for some time. They were reportedly traveling to Chattogram to extend their visas when the accident occurred. Ralph recounted that he and his father were on deck while his mother was below deck assisting Albert with a life jacket. He speculated that the life jacket's clip might not have been fastened and that Albert was unable to swim. The family had been residing in the Cox's Bazar area for approximately two and a half years, traveling by sea and river.

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The Coast Guard is conducting a search operation for the missing teen. The three rescued family members are currently in Coast Guard custody.