Eid Road Accidents Claim 26 Lives Nationwide

During the recent Eid holiday, a tragic series of road accidents across Bangladesh has claimed the lives of 26 people, with many others injured. The incidents occurred between the night of Saturday, 21 March, and Sunday, 22 March evening, affecting multiple districts including Comilla, Habiganj, Feni, Kishoreganj, Sunamganj, Naogaon, Natore, and Cox’s Bazar.

Casualty Breakdown by District

Comilla: Devastating Bus-Train Collision

In Comilla Sadar South, a mail train bound for Chittagong collided with a Mamun Special passenger bus at the Jangalia Kochua level crossing in the early hours of Sunday. Twelve passengers were killed, including seven men, three women, and two children, and at least 20 others were injured.

Railway authorities have formed two investigation committees, while the district administration has also established a separate team to determine the cause of the collision. Initial reports suggest the bus entered the rail line while the level crossing was unattended.

Habiganj: Pickup Van Accident

In Madhabpur Upazila, a pickup van travelling from Sunamganj to Kishoreganj lost control and plunged into a roadside ditch in Andiura, killing four occupants, including a woman and a child. Local police indicated poor visibility at night and loss of vehicle control contributed to the accident.

Feni: Multi-Vehicle Crash

On the Dhaka–Chattogram highway, near Rampur, Feni, a bus rear-ended an ambulance, triggering a chain collision involving two motorcycles and additional buses. Three people died on-site, and another died later at Feni Sadar Hospital. Several vehicles, including four buses and two motorcycles, were seized for investigation.

Other Notable Incidents

• Natore: A private car lost control and collided with a parked truck, killing 29-year-old engineer Zulfiqar Ali a day before his wedding.
• Kishoreganj: Two motorcyclists were killed when a pickup van struck their vehicle in Daryakandi, Kuliarchar.
• Sunamganj: Two friends died and one injured after losing control of a motorcycle near Gagli, Dhirai.
• Cox’s Bazar: A 30-year-old motorcyclist, Anis, died following a collision with a tourist vehicle on Shahpori Island road.
• Naogaon: A 12-year-old boy, Hridoy, drowned after a small vehicle overturned into a pond during Eid celebrations.

Authorities Respond

Highway police and fire service teams swiftly attended most accident sites, rescuing survivors and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. Bodies were sent for post-mortem examination before being handed to families. Officials emphasised the need for road safety awareness and stricter enforcement, particularly during festive periods when traffic surges.

These tragedies highlight the vulnerability of roads during peak travel periods, underscoring the importance of adherence to traffic rules, vehicle maintenance, and vigilant driving to prevent future calamities.