The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has rescued four tourists stranded in the remote Thuisapara area of Thanchi upazila in Bandarban after a 48-hour operation through hazardous mountain terrain triggered by adverse weather.
The rescued tourists are Md Maruf Uddin, Abu Hurayra Jadim, Tamim Raihan Sourav and Mahadi Al Mahbub. Sourav is a student of Notre Dame College in Dhaka, while the other three have passed their Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations and are awaiting admission to the college.
The group travelled to the Amiakhum tourist destination on July 4 but became stranded from July 7 after continuous heavy rainfall made river routes impassable and triggered landslides.
On information, a BGB team from Jinnapara Camp under Balipara Battalion (38 BGB) reached Thuisapara despite the adverse conditions. The personnel established contact with the tourists and, in coordination with local residents, arranged food, accommodation and other essential support while ensuring their security around the clock.
As river transport remained impossible, the BGB launched a rescue mission on July 11 following instructions from the Prime Minister.
The rescue team escorted the tourists on foot from Thuisapara to Ansaupara via an alternative mountain route, passing through Jinnapara, Halirampara and Nicolaspara. The group crossed steep hills, ravines and landslide-hit areas before reaching Ansaupara, where they stayed overnight under BGB supervision.
On Sunday, another BGB team from Ansaupara Camp accompanied the tourists on a four-hour trek through difficult mountain trails and streams to Nepiupara Border Outpost (BOP), from where they were taken safely to Thanchi in BGB vehicles.
The rescued tourists said the BGB had ensured their safety from the outset by providing food, shelter and continuous assistance before carrying out the challenging rescue through remote and risky terrain. They expressed gratitude to all BGB personnel involved in the operation.
Colonel Rubayet Jamil, sector commander of the BGB's Bandarban Sector said that, alongside safeguarding the border, ensuring the safety of tourists and local residents in remote hill areas was also part of the force's responsibilities.
He said the BGB remains prepared to provide swift and effective assistance during disasters, accidents and other emergencies.