31 stranded teen tourists rescued from Sundarbans

A joint team of police and forest guards has rescued 31 stranded teenage tourists from remote spot of Sundarbans upon receiving a 999 call.

KM Azizul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mongla Police Station, and Azad Kabir, in-charge of Koromjol Wildlife Breeding Centre confirmed the matter.

Azad Kabir said the group of 31 tourists, including students from various educational institutions, came to Koromjol from Bagerhat’s Chitalmari.

"Without informing anyone of the forest department, they went deep into the forest on foot and lost their way. They called 999 and asked for help around 2:30pm," he added.

Azizul Islam said: "After receiving the call, a joint team of police and the forest department searched different areas of the forest and found them at Koromjol where tigers and other animals roam around."

The law enforcers said that no one except armed forest guards go to the area where these tourists were stranded. Later, they were rescued at 4:30pm and were brought back to a safer place.

Ferdous, who made the emergency call, said: "We entered the forest with enthusiasm. But we got frightened when we could not find the way back."