Chokoria Tragedy: E-Rickshaw Driver Killed by Bus

A young e-rickshaw driver tragically lost his life on Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a bus in Chokoria, part of Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar district. The fatal incident occurred around 1:00 PM on the Chittagong–Cox’s Bazar highway, at a location locally known as the “Grameen Bank Roadhead” in Khutakhali.

The deceased has been identified as Md. Tarek, aged 21, a resident of Auliabad village in the Islamabad Union of Eidgaon Upazila. He was the son of Abul Kalam. According to eyewitness accounts and highway police officials, Tarek was attempting to cross from a rural lane onto the busy national highway when the accident occurred.

At the time, a rapidly moving Purabi Paribahan bus, travelling from Chittagong towards Cox’s Bazar, struck the e-rickshaw. The impact was devastating, leaving the vehicle completely mangled and resulting in Tarek’s instantaneous death at the scene. Several passersby expressed shock, noting that the bus appeared to be travelling at an excessive speed along the often congested route.

Officer-in-Charge of Malumat Highway Police, Mehedi Hasan, confirmed the incident to Prothom Alo, stating, “The young man, Md. Tarek, was killed when the bus collided with his e-rickshaw. Both the bus and the e-rickshaw are now in police custody, but the bus driver and his assistant fled the scene immediately after the crash.” Authorities have launched a search to apprehend the bus personnel.

Locals have long raised concerns about road safety along this stretch of the highway. The combination of high-speed buses and smaller vehicles, such as e-rickshaws, has repeatedly been cited as a significant risk factor. Several prior accidents in the same area have prompted calls for enhanced traffic management measures, including the installation of speed breakers, pedestrian crossings, and better signage.

The family of the deceased is reportedly devastated by the loss. Community members are urging local authorities to take swift action to prevent further tragedies and to implement stricter road safety enforcement.

Below is a summary of the key details of the incident:

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for improved traffic safety measures on Bangladesh’s national highways, particularly in areas where rural lanes meet busy roads. Authorities and community leaders alike are now calling for decisive steps to prevent similar fatal accidents in the future.