The collision occurred at around 4am near the Sreenagar Ferry Ghat area, on the Mawa-bound lane of the expressway. The impact severely crushed the front section of the minibus, leaving the driver trapped inside the wreckage and requiring a specialist rescue operation by firefighters.
According to Fire Service sources, the minibus was carrying relatives of expatriate Russell Matubbar, who had travelled to Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to receive him after his return from Italy. The group was on its way to their home in Madaripur when the accident took place.
While travelling along the expressway, the minibus reportedly lost control at high speed and slammed into the back of a covered van parked beside the road. The force of the collision caused extensive damage to the front of the minibus. The driver became trapped inside the vehicle as the damaged structure prevented him from getting out.
The injured passengers were identified as Rumpa Khatun, 35, Mim Akter, 18, Khadija Akter, 18, expatriate Russell Matubbar, 30, Siraj Matubbar, 70, Rony Matubbar, 28, and Mehedi, 35. All seven are residents of the Bolsa village area in Madaripur Sadar.
The other two injured people were minibus driver Md IbrahIm, 36, a resident of the Goran area in Khilgaon, Dhaka, and Al-Amin, 30, from Mymensingh.
After receiving information about the accident, two rescue units from the Sreenagar Fire Service Station rushed to the scene. Firefighters used specialised rescue equipment to extract the trapped driver and assist the other injured passengers.
Once the rescue operation was completed, all nine victims were transported by Fire Service ambulance to Sreenagar Upazila Health Complex for medical treatment.
Muhammad Shafiqul Islam PFM, Deputy Assistant Director of Munshiganj Fire Service and Civil Defence, confirmed the accident and the subsequent rescue operation.
The incident once again highlights the risks associated with high-speed driving and stationary vehicles along major highways. The Dhaka-Mawa Expressway is a key transport corridor connecting the capital with several south-western districts, carrying a substantial volume of passenger and commercial traffic.
Accidents involving parked heavy vehicles can be particularly dangerous, especially when approaching drivers fail to maintain a safe distance or lose control of their vehicles. Reduced visibility during the early morning hours can also make it harder for drivers to identify potential hazards in sufficient time.
Maintaining appropriate speed, keeping a safe distance from other vehicles and ensuring that vehicles are parked in designated safe areas are essential measures for reducing such risks. The collision in Sreenagar, which left nine people injured and a vehicle severely damaged, serves as another reminder of the importance of road safety on the country’s major highways.
