A search is underway for missing YouTuber Sagar Kundu.
The 22-year-old was visiting the Duduma waterfall in Odisha, India, Aug. 23 to film content with friends when he was swept away by the waterfall’s strong currents, local authorities said Aug. 27 according to The New Indian Express.
“Kundu was requesting me with folded hands for rescue,” Kundu’s friend Abhijit Behera said, per the outlet. “He threw the camera and other equipment, but we were not able to rescue him.”
Kundu had wandered into the 574-foot waterfall—a popular tourist destination—in spite of repeated warnings from his cohorts, the local publication said citing authorities.
“Suddenly, there was a surge due to water being released from the Machkund dam,” police said citing a viral video of the incident, according to The New Indian Express. “Kundu was swept away by the strong currents and those at the spot tried to rescue him but failed.”
Officers also noted that a disaster management team and fire brigade were working to locate the content creator but he had yet to be found, the outlet reported.
E! News has reached out to authorities in Odisha for comment but has not heard back.
As the search for Kundu continues, Machkund Police Station inspector in-charge Madhusudan Bhoi shared that some of his belongings had turned up.
“We have so far recovered a bag containing batteries and other equipment which he had thrown into the water moments before being swept away,” Bhoi said, per The New Indian Express. “The rescue operation in the hilly area has been challenging because of the rugged and rocky terrain and incessant rainfall.”
As a result, rescue workers were seeking additional measures to help with the ongoing search.
“We have requested the Machkund dam authorities to close the gates of the reservoir,” fire service officer Umesh Chandra Bagh said, according to the outlet. “Once the water level recedes, it will help us carry out the search operation.”
