Tourist’s body recovered from Bandarban’s Alikadam, 2 more missing

The body of a tourist has been recovered from the banks of the Matamuhuri River in Alikadam Upazila of Bandarban, with police reporting that two more tourists remain missing.

The deceased has been identified as 35-year-old Sheikh Zubairul Islam from Narail.

Sub-Inspector Shahadat Hossain of Alikadam Police Station said, “Over the past two days, large numbers of tourists have gathered along the Matamuhuri River. A sudden flash flood took place following heavy rainfall in the hills. It seems like they were caught in a landslide when the floodwaters cleared.”

“The body was found without any clothes, except for anklets on both feet,” he added.

Locals spotted the body lying by the riverbank and alerted police, who subsequently recovered it.

Shahadat said, “We’ve learned that two other tourists are currently missing.”

He mentioned that another group of tourists went to the site of the accident, making it difficult to get any details until they return.

Alikadam Police chief Mirza Zahid Uddin said, “On the 9th of June, a tour group of 33 tourists, accompanied by two guides, travelled to Kirs Taung hill, located between Alikadam and Thanchi. It seems this was the group caught in the flash flood.”

The recovered body is being sent to Bandarban Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination.

A post from the official Facebook page of the Alikadam chief executive (UNO) reiterated that tourists must register at the Upazila administration’s information support booth, who are required to ensure one guide for every 12 tourists.

The post also warned: “Certain unscrupulous rogues take tourists to dangerous locations without proper registration or adequate safety measures. Strict action will be taken against them.”