Video shows last movements of tourist missing in Fiji
A bag containing the traveller's phone and a set of keys was put behind a bar at the resort for weeks until staff realised it belonged to the missing man.
New footage has emerged showing the movements of a tourist missing in Fiji, just one hour before he vanished.
Ildar Rakhmatulin went missing after checking out of a resort on the Coral Coast, a tourist area on the island of Viti Levu, on the morning of April 9.
New video, supplied to Yahoo News Australia, shows Mr Rakhmatulin – a dual citizen of Canada and Russia – at a yoga class in the hour before he disappeared.
Wearing a navy t-shirt with white writing, blue shorts and beige and black slip-on running shoes, the 38-year-old can be seen reclining in a deck chair as meditation music plays. He is one of 14 guests taking part in the session.
The video was recorded at 8:46am. Just over an hour later, at 9:48am, he checked out of the resort and has not been heard from since.
Bag containing phone left behind
In the footage of the yoga class, a blue bag containing Mr Rakhmatulin’s mobile phone and a set of keys can be seen on the floor next to his chair.
The bag was left behind after the session and found later that day by the night watchman, who placed it behind behind the bar where it stayed for over a month – until staff became aware via Facebook that a man was missing and connected the dots.
Mr Rakhmatulin’s friend, Alexander, told Yahoo News he finds it odd that his friend didn't return for his phone, and said he has no idea what the keys unlock. Initially, he guessed they may be keys to a locker or luggage area at Nadi Airport, however airport staff said there was nothing there.
He hopes the video – and perhaps the other tourists taking part in the yoga class – could spark new leads in Ildar’s case.
“Drowning is likely to be ruled out, and Ildar was not drunk… he is not a fan of drinking,” he said. Fijian Police conducted a water search nearby, however no trace of Mr Rakhmatulin was found.
Strangely, the traveller’s suitcase and backpack have not been seen since he disappeared three months ago, and Alexander said he was informed by government department Global Affairs Canada that Mr Rakhmatulin had not left Fiji via plane.
New driver's licence change for a million Aussies after teen's death
Influencer pretends to clean up Aussie beach in bizarre video
Alexander previously described Mr Rakhmatulin as a keen traveller who arrived in Fiji from New Zealand on April 7, and enjoyed doing yoga and meditating – though he wasn’t sure how regularly.
He believes the other tourists seen in the video of the yoga session have likely left Fiji by now, and is encouraging anyone with information to come forward.
“I know that there were tourists from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, Finland and UK staying on the resort in April,” Alexander said.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
