Mesut Özil’s Convoy Involved in Road Collision

A high-profile humanitarian visit to the refugee settlements in Cox’s Bazar took a distressing turn this evening when a vehicle within the convoy of German World Cup winner Mesut Özil collided with a battery-operated auto-rickshaw. The incident, which occurred during the return leg of the journey, left the three-wheeled vehicle severely damaged and its driver injured.

The collision took place at approximately 6:45 pm on the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Highway in the Ukhia Kutupalong area. The former Arsenal star was travelling alongside Bilal Erdoğan, the son of the Turkish President, following an emotional tour of the Rohingya camps, where the pair had been assessing the living conditions of displaced families.

Breach of VIP Protocol

According to Saiful Islam, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Ukhia Shahpuri Island Highway Police Station, the accident was precipitated by a breach of the secure VIP corridor. A battery-powered auto-rickshaw—a common but often unregulated mode of transport in the region—unexpectedly veered into the path of the speeding motorcade, circumventing established security protocols.

“As the convoy of footballer Mesut Özil and Bilal Erdoğan was returning, an auto-rickshaw suddenly broke through the VIP protocol and entered the lane,” OC Saiful Islam confirmed to the press. “A collision followed with one of the escorting vehicles, resulting in significant damage to the rickshaw. The vehicle has since been seized.”

Casualty and Investigation

The driver of the rickshaw, whose identity has not yet been formally released, sustained injuries during the impact. Emergency services on the scene provided immediate first aid, and the driver was subsequently moved to a local medical facility for further treatment. Reports suggest that the footballer and other dignitaries were unharmed and their journey continued after a brief delay.

The local authorities have launched a formal investigation into the security lapse that allowed a civilian vehicle to penetrate the motorcade.

Incident Summary: Ukhia Highway Collision

Humanitarian Context

The visit by Özil and Erdoğan was intended to bring renewed international attention to the Rohingya humanitarian crisis. Özil, who has long been a vocal advocate for the rights of the displaced, spent the afternoon interacting with refugees and distributing aid. While the accident has momentarily overshadowed the philanthropic efforts, local officials remain focused on the security implications for future high-level delegations.

The Highway Police have reiterated that the “Tomtom” (battery-powered rickshaws) are often prohibited from major highways due to their slow speeds and unpredictable movement, though enforcement in the crowded Kutupalong corridor remains a significant logistical challenge.