Tourist missing after entering Nafakhum waterfall in Bandarban

A tourist has gone missing after entering the Nafakhum waterfall in Thanchi upazila of Bandarban. Despite a travel ban, a tourist group from Dhaka went to Nafakhum. As of 1pm on Saturday, no trace had been found of the young man who went missing on Friday evening.

The missing tourist is Iqbal Hossain, 25. According to his ID, his home is in Rasulnagar of Demra in Dhaka. His father is Mofizul Islam and mother Rashida Begum.

According to upazila administration information, Iqbal and 16 others reached Nafakhum via Alikadam and Tindu. After spending the day there, they entered the waterfall at around 5pm. At one stage, Iqbal submerged in the water and went missing. The rescue operation is ongoing.

Thanchi police station officer-in-charge Nasir Uddin Mojumder said the other 16 travellers have returned to the upazila headquarters. Iqbal’s family has been informed.

Thanchi upazila executive officer Md Abdullah Al-Faisal said, “The tourists did not notify the administration before going to Nafakhum and had no local guide. The administration has only permitted travel up to Tindu Boro Pathor. Travel to Remakri and Nafakhum is still restricted. How they entered a restricted area is being investigated.”

A travel ban was imposed on 20 October 2022 in Ruma, Rowangchhari and Thanchi due to security concerns over the activities of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) and related armed groups. Later, some areas were reopened step by step. On 11 February this year, Devtakum in Rowangchhari reopened, and from 6 June Baga Lake in Ruma, Tumattong and Tindu in Thanchi reopened. Keokradong in Ruma was also later opened to tourists.