Missing tourist's body recovered from Sylhet

The deceased was identified as Dr Subrata Saha Bikash, 33, son of Mihir Lal Saha of Ramgati upazila in Lakshmipur district.

His body was recovered around 8 am from beside pillar No. 3 near the Sadapathor Ropeway Bunker with the help of a local fisherman.

Police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel and local administration officials later took the body to Companiganj Police Station.

According to local sources, fisherman Rubel Mia, 28, was catching fish in the Dhalai River on Friday morning when he noticed something floating on the water. On approaching, he found the body of the missing tourist.

A small portion of the body was visible above the water while most of it remained submerged. He recovered the body and brought it to the tourist jetty.

Earlier on Thursday, Dr Subrata and three friends had travelled from Dhaka to Sylhet. Around 2:15 pm, three of them entered the Dhalai River to bathe at the Sadapathor tourist spot.

They were swept away by a strong current. Two of them managed to swim ashore, but Dr Subrata, who could not swim, went missing.

A Fire Service diving team conducted a rescue operation for several hours but failed to locate him. The operation was suspended around 7 pm due to darkness.

In-charge of Bholaganj Police Outpost SI Jagat Jyoti Das said a fisherman found the body while fishing in the river. He said the victim's family has applied to receive the body without an autopsy, and the process of handing it over is underway subject to approval from the higher authorities.

Officer-in-Charge of Companiganj Police Station Shafiqul Islam Khan said the body would be handed over to the family after completing the necessary legal formalities, reports UNB.