Tragic Death of Local Fish Seller At Khilkhet

A devastating road accident in Dhaka’s Khilkhét area claimed the life of 55-year-old fish vendor Chandan Das on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 11:15 am on the heavily trafficked 300 Feet Road, when Das was struck by a microbus operating under the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation.

Eyewitnesses reported that Das was attempting to cross the road when the vehicle hit him, leaving him critically injured. Local residents and bystanders rushed him to Kurmitola General Hospital, recognising the severity of his condition. Given the urgency of his injuries, he was subsequently transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where emergency department doctors declared him dead.

Neighbour and close family friend Md. Nazrul Islam expressed deep sorrow, stating, “Chandan Das was thrown onto the road and suffered severe injuries. Locals and the microbus assistant quickly brought him to hospital, but sadly, time was not on his side.”

Inspector Md. Faruk of the DMCH police camp confirmed that Das’s body is now in the morgue, and that the Khilkhét police have been notified. He added that both the microbus and its driver are currently in police custody pending investigation.

Chandan Das was originally from Kachua Upazila in Brahmanbaria district. He resided with his family in a rented home near Kurmitola School, Khilkhét, and made his living selling fish in the area.

Khilkhét is among Dhaka city’s busiest and most congested zones. Traffic safety experts repeatedly warn that the absence of pedestrian crossings and poor traffic management in such high-density areas significantly increases the risk of accidents. This tragic incident once again highlights the urgent need for better road safety measures to prevent future loss of life.

The key details of the accident are summarised in the table below:

Road safety specialists stress the need for stringent enforcement of traffic regulations, speed control, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, particularly in Dhaka’s crowded districts. Authorities hope that heightened vigilance and public awareness can prevent the recurrence of such fatal accidents.