An 18‑year‑old man named Aung Hla went missing after falling into the Niagara River while fishing with friends near the U.S. side of the Niagara Whirlpool.
The incident occurred in the lower Niagara River Gorge, between Whirlpool State Park and Devil’s Hole State Park, where the fast‑moving water posed a serious risk.
Search efforts began at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday. A preliminary investigation determined that Hla entered the river during fishing and was not seen again.
Multiple agencies are coordinating the search, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Niagara Parks Police Service, local fire and emergency services, and helicopters from the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit.
Teams are combing the riverbanks on both sides, walking along steep and often washed‑out trails that make the search challenging.
Hla was fishing at the bottom of the Whirlpool rapids stairs in Whirlpool State Park, an area where rock fishing is strictly prohibited due to the dangerous conditions.
The trail is marked but hazardous; the rocks where Hla was fishing are in restricted zones that pose significant risk to anyone entering.
Access to the area requires descending a 91‑metre embankment via hundreds of stone and wooden steps, adding to the difficulty of locating the missing individual.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the New York State Park Police at 716‑278‑1777.
