Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh Coast Guard has launched an emergency service number 16111 for 24-hour assistance in coastal areas and waterways.

Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Harun-ar-Rashid informed this through a press release on Wednesday noon..

According to the press release, since its inception, Bangladesh Coast Guard has been playing a vital role in ensuring the safety of the vast sea, coastal, and riverine areas of the country along with conducting various service activities. In continuation of this, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has now launched the hotline number 16111 for emergency services. Through this hotline number, any citizen of the country's coastal region can now directly seek assistance from the Coast Guard in times of emergency.

This number will play an effective role in combating piracy in the vast coastal region, preventing drug trafficking and smuggling, conserving fish resources, ensuring the security of seaports, conducting relief and rescue operations during natural disasters in coastal areas, and protecting oil, gas, and forest resources, as well as preventing coastal environmental pollution and various criminal activities.

In addition, the 16111 number has been launched to make rescue operations during accidents or disasters in coastal areas quicker and more accessible.

This hotline number will remain active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Applications from information providers or citizens seeking assistance will be immediately forwarded to the nearest Coast Guard station and outpost for prompt resolution. As a result, necessary actions can be taken quickly, and the relationship between the public and the Coast Guard will be further strengthened.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard remains ever committed to serving the people. Patrol and service activities of the Bangladesh Coast Guard continue for a safe coast and secured maritime safety.