Bagerhat:The body of a missing tourist was recovered in the Sundarbans by the Forest Department and Bangladesh Coast Guard near Alorkol in Sarankhola upazila of Bagerhat district. The recovery occurred on Saturday night, 35 hours after the tourist was swept away by strong waves.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the deceased was identified as Md Riaz Ahmed, 28, son of Abul Bashar Dhali from Kathali Paschimpara in Bhaluka upazila, Mymensingh district. Fishermen found his body floating near Tanar Matha Khal, approximately 1.5 kilometers from where he initially went missing, around 11 p.m., and they alerted the authorities.
Riaz was one of 19 tourists aboard the vessel 'Eco Tourism-2', which departed from Kadamtala Forest Station under the Satkhira Range of the West Forest Division on November 5 for a trip to the Sundarbans. On November 6, the vessel ran aground on a newly emerged shoal near Alorkol under the East Sundarbans' Sarankhola Range. While attempting to free the vessel, Riaz was swept away by a sudden strong wave.
Following his disappearance, a search operation was launched by members of the Forest Department and the Coast Guard. The body has since been handed over to Sarankhola Police Station for legal formalities.