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Published : 16 May 2026, 01:59 AM
The body of a student from the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology who went missing in the water during a visit to visit Bichanakandi—a tourist destination in the Gowainghat Upazila of Sylhet—has been found and recovered.
The university's Proctor Prof Md Mokhlesur Rahman said a Fire Service diving team recovered the body around 9:30pm on Friday.
Identified as Shanto Bonik, the victim was a student in the Department of Petroleum and Mining Engineering at SUST in the 2023-24 academic session. He was originally from Thakurgaon.
He remained unaccounted for since 5:15pm, according to some of his department classmates.
The proctor said they informed his family of his death.
Since his village home is long away, it may take longer for his family members to reach Sylhet, he said, adding: “So, we’ve requested them not to come.
“Instead, we’ll send the body to them once all legal procedures are completed,” said Prof Rahman.
Late on Friday night, the proctor said they body was being taken to a local hospital, which would issue a death certificate.
After that, the corpse will be taken to local police station, he said.
“We’ve objected to his post-mortem. Then the body will be taken to the university campus for rest formalities before finally being sent to Thakurgaon," said Prof Rahman.
Ibrahim Bin Islam, another student of the department, said they went on a “batch tour”.
Three of the batchmates, including Shanto who knew how to swim, went into the water around 5pm, Ibrahim said.
“But the current was strong. When he was swept away, a local woman tried to save him. But she failed,” he added.
Later, some other locals started searching for him, but in vain.
They called the divers, who arrived much later, said Ibrahim.
He alleged that the divers from the Fire Service first refused to help as it was already 6pm when they reached at the scene.
“We had to force them repeatedly until they agreed to start the search operation,” said Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, Gowainghat Police chief did not respond to phone calls despite repeated attempts for his comments.
On Jan 30, a student named Musab Amin from the university’s electrical and electronic engineering department drowned while visiting Lalakhal, a tourist spot in Sylhet.
