Kolkata Tourist Missing After Falling into Matla River in Sundarbans
A 32-year-old tourist from Kolkata has gone missing after falling into the Matla River in the Sundarbans. The incident occurred late on Saturday night during a group tour.
Details of the Incident
Suman Pal, a resident of Garia in south Kolkata, slipped and fell from a boat into the river around 11:30 PM. He was climbing down the stairs of the launch while carrying a plate of rice when the accident happened. The strong currents of the Matla River swept him away immediately.
Fellow tourist Shubhendu Sarkar witnessed the event. He reported seeing Pal raise his hand once at a distance of about 10 to 12 feet from the launch before disappearing under the water. Sarkar jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue Pal but could not locate him in the dark.
Search Operation Underway
Police from the Kultali Police Station launched a search operation shortly after the incident was reported. A team led by Sub-Inspector Arghya Mandal is coordinating the effort. Divers have been deployed to search multiple stretches of the river.
The search has faced significant challenges due to strong currents and poor night visibility. Police officials noted that the Matla River experiences extremely powerful flows at this time of year, complicating rescue efforts.
"Because of the powerful flow of the river, locating the missing person has become challenging," a police officer stated. "The search will continue tomorrow with the help of professional divers."
Background of the Tour Group
The missing tourist was part of a group of 22 people from Garia who arrived in the Sundarbans on January 16 for a five-day trip. They had visited Bonnie Camp and Kalas Island before staying overnight on their boat near Kaikhali.
According to group member Joy Saha, Suman Pal ran an imitation jewellery shop and did not consume alcohol. His brother, Sujay Pal, traveled from Garia to join the search efforts upon hearing the news.
Family and Personal Details
Ramesh Pal, a relative of the missing tourist, shared that Suman had a deep passion for forests and wildlife. He made it a point to travel every year without fail.
"He had visited the Sundarbans several times before," Ramesh Pal said. "He himself was the main organiser of this tour."
Police Investigation
Authorities are questioning all tourists who were on board the boat to confirm that the incident was purely accidental. No foul play is suspected at this time, but police are conducting thorough interviews as part of standard procedure.
The search operation remains active, with hopes of locating Suman Pal despite the difficult conditions in the Matla River.
