Brick Fragment Hits Prime Ministerial Motorcade

Police have launched an investigation after a brick fragment struck a vehicle in the motorcade of Prime Minister Tarek Rahman while he was travelling to Barishal, following the circulation of a video of the incident on social media.

The incident occurred at around 8:30 a.m. on Monday, 13 July, near Sadhur Bridge in Rajoir Upazila of Madaripur, along the Dhaka–Barishal Highway. According to local authorities, investigators are examining whether the object was deliberately thrown or whether it was unintentionally propelled onto the road by another vehicle.

Videos shared on social media show large numbers of BNP leaders, activists and supporters gathered on both sides of the highway from early Monday morning to welcome the Prime Minister during his pre-announced visit to Barishal. As the motorcade passed through the Sadhur Bridge area, the bus carrying Prime Minister Tarek Rahman moved ahead without incident. Moments later, a brick fragment reportedly struck the front section of a jeep belonging to the Special Security Force (SSF), which was travelling as part of the convoy.

The footage has prompted widespread discussion online, although the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. At this stage, no official conclusion has been reached regarding whether the impact resulted from an intentional act or from road debris dislodged by another passing vehicle.

Madaripur Superintendent of Police Habibur Rahman confirmed that the matter is under investigation. He said a brick fragment landed on the front of one of the escort vehicles in the convoy and that officers are carefully analysing the available evidence.

According to the police chief, investigators are examining multiple possibilities, including whether the fragment was thrown deliberately or whether it was accidentally kicked up by the tyre of another vehicle travelling on the highway. He added that investigators are reviewing all available information before drawing any conclusions and urged the public not to speculate while the inquiry is ongoing.

Security incidents involving VIP motorcades are treated with particular seriousness in Bangladesh because such convoys operate under tightly coordinated security arrangements. Even seemingly minor incidents are typically subjected to detailed investigation to determine whether they resulted from negligence, road conditions or any deliberate attempt to disrupt official travel.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman departed Dhaka by road on Monday morning aboard a bus bound for Barishal as part of a scheduled official visit. He reached Batajor in Gournadi shortly before 10:00 a.m. before proceeding with his engagements in the region.

During the day, he attended a series of official programmes in Barishal. After completing the scheduled events, he left the city at around 6:30 p.m. to return to Dhaka by road. Authorities have not reported any further security-related incidents involving the motorcade during either the remainder of the outbound journey or the return trip.

Police say the investigation remains active, and any determination regarding the cause of the incident will depend on the findings of the ongoing analysis of physical evidence, video footage and other available information.