Chattogram Highway Crash Sparks Double Bus Arson

A fatal road crash on the Chattogram–Kaptai highway on Sunday night (12 April) escalated into violent unrest after a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a CNG-run autorickshaw left one man dead and triggered the burning of two buses by an agitated crowd.

The deceased has been identified as Nazrul Islam (40), an autorickshaw driver from Mir Dhar Para village under West Gujra union in Raozan upazila. A passenger travelling in the same three-wheeler was critically injured and remains under medical care.

The accident took place at around 10:45 pm in the Maijje Mia Ghat area of Urkirchar union in Raozan, bringing traffic on the busy regional highway to an immediate standstill.

How the collision occurred

According to eyewitness accounts, the CNG-run autorickshaw was heading towards Patharhat when it attempted to overtake another vehicle. In the process, it reportedly veered into the path of an oncoming intercity bus operated by “Saudia Paribahan”, which was travelling from Kaptai towards Chattogram.

The impact was described as severe, leaving the autorickshaw completely mangled. Nazrul Islam died instantly at the scene due to the force of the collision, while the injured passenger was rescued from the wreckage with assistance from bystanders and local volunteers before emergency responders arrived.

A local volunteer organiser, Rashedul Islam, said he and others rushed to the scene to help extract the victims from the damaged vehicle prior to the arrival of emergency services.

Situation escalates into arson

Although police quickly reached the location, tensions among local residents escalated rapidly following the crash. A group of agitated individuals allegedly set fire to the Saudia Paribahan bus involved in the accident.

The fire soon spread to a second parked passenger bus, identified as “Karnaphuli Express”, which was preparing to travel from Chandraghona to Chattogram city. Both vehicles were eventually reduced to ashes before fire service personnel and additional police units managed to bring the situation under control.

Authorities confirmed that the incident resulted in a complete suspension of traffic on the Chattogram–Kaptai highway, leaving passengers stranded and disrupting late-night travel across the region.

Official confirmation

Sub-Inspector Mamun Bhuiyan, Officer-in-Charge of Noapara Police Outpost, confirmed both the fatality and the subsequent arson.

“One autorickshaw driver died in the accident. Following the incident, agitated locals set fire to two buses,” he said. “We are working to restore normal traffic movement and bring the situation under control.”

Police and fire service teams remained deployed at the site late into the night to clear debris, secure the area, and prevent further escalation.

Incident overview

Renewed concerns over road safety

The incident once again highlights persistent road safety concerns on regional highways, where risky overtaking, mixed traffic flow, and limited road capacity frequently contribute to serious and sometimes fatal accidents.

Authorities are expected to conduct a full investigation into both the cause of the collision and the subsequent arson attacks. Officials are also likely to examine whether lapses in traffic control or delayed emergency response may have contributed to the escalation of violence.

At the time of reporting, traffic on the Chattogram–Kaptai route remained suspended, with law enforcement and emergency services working to restore order and resume normal movement on the highway.