Bridal Procession Turns Tragic in Fatal Crash

A joyous wedding celebration in Bagerhat’s Rampal Upazila ended in horror on Thursday (12 March) when a head-on collision between a microbus carrying newlyweds and a Navy-operated bus claimed at least 13 lives. The catastrophic accident occurred around 4:00 pm at the Belai Bridge along the Khulna-Mongla highway.

Collision Details

Eyewitnesses reported that the microbus, transporting the bride, groom, and close family members, was travelling when a speeding bus approached from the opposite direction. The two vehicles collided violently, causing the microbus to crumple and skid off the road. Emergency responders, including police and fire service teams, arrived promptly to rescue victims from the wreckage.

Among the deceased were the groom Sabbir, his father Abdur Razzaq, the bride Marzia Akter (Mitu), Mitu’s sister Lamia, her grandmother (Nani), and the microbus driver, alongside seven other passengers. Several injured individuals were rushed to medical facilities, including Khulna Medical College Hospital, where further casualties were recorded.

Wedding and Journey

Marzia Akter’s maternal uncle, Abu Taher, confirmed that the wedding had taken place earlier on Thursday at Naksha village in Khulna’s Koira Upazila. Marzia married Sabbir, a resident of Shelabunia in Mongla’s Ward 8. Following the ceremony, the bridal procession set off from Marzia’s in-laws’ home, intending to reach Mongla when tragedy struck in Rampal.

Sub-Inspector K.M. Hasanuzzaman of the Katakhali Highway Police Station described the incident: “The Navy bus was heading towards Khulna while the microbus was en route to Mongla. At Belai Bridge, the two vehicles collided head-on, causing the microbus to crumple entirely, resulting in significant fatalities.”

Rescue and Medical Response

Dr. Sukanta Kumar Pal, Health and Family Planning Officer of Rampal Upazila, stated that four victims’ bodies were brought to the local health complex. Several critically injured passengers were transferred to Khulna Medical College Hospital. Dr. Mehenaz Mosharraf, on duty in the hospital’s emergency department, added, “Eight bodies have been received here—three children, three women, and two men. Additionally, one critically injured patient later succumbed to injuries.”

Summary of Victims

This tragic accident has left the local community in deep mourning, transforming what should have been a day of celebration into one of profound grief. Authorities have launched an investigation into the collision and have urged stricter traffic safety measures along the Khulna-Mongla route to prevent future incidents.

The wedding, intended as a joyous union, has instead become a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for road safety vigilance.