Local residents recovered four bodies from a submerged pickup van on the Dhaka–Sylhet highway near Andura in Habiganj on Sunday morning, 22 March. The tragic incident has raised concerns over highway safety and the prevalence of traffic collisions in the region.
According to local sources, around 8:00 a.m., a group of farmers working on adjacent fields noticed household furniture floating in a roadside gully. Broken glass from a vehicle was also visible nearby, prompting immediate suspicion.
Upon closer inspection, the witnesses discovered a pickup van submerged in the water. They promptly contacted the police emergency hotline at 999. With assistance from surrounding residents, the group managed to extract four bodies from the vehicle.
The deceased have been tentatively identified as a woman in her early thirties, an 11-year-old child, and two adult men.
Eyewitness Shahin Khandakar reported that the front glass of a bus, along with photocopies of passenger tickets, were found at the scene. This suggests that an unidentified bus may have collided with the rear of the pickup van, forcing it off the road and into the gully, where it became submerged.
The Habiganj Shyestaganj Highway Police responded to the incident after being notified of the discovery. The recovered bodies were transported to the hospital, and the pickup van was later retrieved from beneath the water.
Officer-in-Charge Abu Taher Dewan of Shyestaganj Highway Police confirmed that authorities are still attempting to identify the victims and are investigating the precise circumstances of the collision.
Incident Summary:
| Date & Time | Location | Vehicle Involved | Casualties | Witness Observations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 March, 8:00 a.m. | Dhaka–Sylhet Highway, Andura, Habiganj | Pickup Van, possibly rear-ended by a bus | 4 (1 woman ~32, 1 child 11, 2 adult men) | Floating furniture, broken glass, bus ticket copies nearby |
The highway section where the accident occurred is known for sharp curves and frequent traffic congestion, factors that may have contributed to the collision. Police have urged drivers to exercise extreme caution while travelling along this route, especially during early morning hours when visibility is limited.
Local authorities continue to investigate the incident, while the community mourns the tragic loss of life in what is yet another example of Bangladesh’s ongoing road safety challenges.
