Tour Expert Group Admin Barsha arrested over tourist deaths in Bandarban

Police have arrested Barsha Islam Brishti, admin of the online travel group 'Tour Expert', in connection with the deaths of two tourists during a trekking expedition in the Alikadam region of Bandarban.

Barsha, 32, a resident of Dhaka originally from Jashore, was taken into custody in Alikadam late Saturday morning (June 14) following a case filed by the father of deceased tourist Smriti Akter.

Bandarban Additional Superintendent of Police Pupar Jinia Chakma, confirmed the arrest, stating, "Barsha had been held for questioning since the incident and was formally arrested after the case was registered around 11.00am."

According to local sources, a group of 33 tourists led by Barsha embarked on a trek on June 11, aiming to summit Kristong Hill in Alikadam and the Liman Liblu and Sakahafong peaks in Thanchi. The expedition was co-hosted by a man named Hasan and guided locally by Siddharth Tanchangya.

The group later split into two subgroups of 22 and 11 members. While attempting to cross the Tain Canal, 19 members of the larger group managed to cross safely, but three, including co-host Hasan, were swept away by strong currents. The body of Sheikh Zubairul Islam was recovered from Kanai Majhi Ghat on Thursday morning, and Smriti Akter's body was found the following day in the Amtoli Ghat area. Hasan remains missing.

The case filed alleges negligence and mismanagement on the part of the organisers. Authorities are continuing their investigation while rescue efforts for the missing tourist are still underway.