College student goes missing in Teesta River in Rangpur while shooting TikTok video

An 18-year-old college student went missing on Saturday evening after jumping into the Teesta River while attempting to film a TikTok video with friends near the Mohipur Teesta Bridge in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur.

The missing student, Nirob Roy Utsya, son of Tapan Roy from Paschim Bangla village in Nilphamari’s Jaldhaka upazila, was swept away by the river’s strong current around 6 pm.

According to local residents and police sources, Nirob and seven friends had arrived at the Mohipur Teesta Bridge around 5 pm to hang out and make videos.

Three of them — Nirob, Shakil, and Rupam — jumped into the river as part of a stunt for TikTok. While Shakil and Rupam managed to swim back to shore, Nirob was swept away by the current.

Hearing the screams of the group, bystanders rushed to the scene and informed authorities.

Gangachara Fire Service personnel responded promptly and launched a rescue operation. A diving team from Rangpur later joined the effort and continued the search until 9 pm, but Nirab remained missing.

Abdul Mannan, station officer of Gangachara Fire Service, said, “We started the rescue operation immediately after receiving the report. The strong current is hampering the effort, but the operation will continue until Nirob is found.”

The other individuals present with Nirab during the incident were identified as Alamin, 18, Mahdi Hasan, 19, Shakil, 18, Sri Shishir, 18, Kaif Kifayat, and Rupam Islam.

Gangachara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmud Hasan Mridha expressed concern over the incident, saying, “Such risky behavior is extremely dangerous. It is crucial for both youth and their guardians to remain vigilant and responsible."