Two Journalists Killed by Speeding Bus in Dhaka’s Uttara

Two young media professionals lost their lives in a tragic road accident in the capital’s Uttara area during the early hours of Thursday. The victims were returning home after watching a football World Cup match on a large outdoor screen when a speeding bus ran over them. The fatal incident occurred at around dawn in the Jasimuddin Road intersection area of Uttara Sector 3.

The deceased have been identified as Rabiul Alam Raju, a journalist working for the daily newspaper Praner Bangladesh, and Sakibul Hasan, a reporter for the newspaper Sangbad Diganta. Beyond their primary roles as reporters, both individuals were highly active in the local media community. Sakibul Hasan served as the Treasurer of the Uttara Press Club, whilst Rabiul Alam Raju held the position of Entertainment Secretary within the same journalist association.

According to police and local sources, the duo had gathered with other football enthusiasts on Wednesday night to watch the high-stakes World Cup semi-final match between England and Argentina. Following the conclusion of the broadcast, they left the venue together to head home. As they were crossing the road near the Jasimuddin bus stand, an unidentified bus struck them violently, leaving both men critically injured on the asphalt.

Pedestrians and witnesses rushed to the scene immediately after the collision. The victims were rescued in a bloodied state and quickly transported to Kurmitola General Hospital. Upon their arrival, the attending medical officer examined them and pronounced both journalists dead. Hospital authorities indicated that massive internal haemorrhaging and severe trauma caused their deaths before medical aid could be administered.

Mohammad Khalid Monsur, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Uttara West Police Station, confirmed the details of the tragedy. He stated that law enforcement teams were dispatched to the site and the hospital immediately after receiving the report. The police have launched an investigation to identify the transport company and locate the rogue vehicle involved. Operations are currently underway to apprehend the driver and the helper, who fled the scene immediately after the crash. The bodies have been kept at the hospital morgue for post-mortem examinations.

The sudden and untimely demise of these two promising journalists has cast a profound shadow of grief over the media fraternity, particularly within the Uttara Press Club. Shocked colleagues and local media representatives have strongly condemned the reckless driving that characterises Dhaka’s roads, demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible.