Shopkeeper Killed in Chokoria Road Accident

A tragic road accident claimed the life of a local shopkeeper on Wednesday morning in the Chokoria area of the Chittagong–Cox’s Bazar highway. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. when the victim, Mohammad Mosharraf, 45, was struck by an auto-rickshaw while attempting to cross the busy highway.

Mosharraf, a resident of Hamid Ullah Sikdarpara in Kayabil Union, Chokoria, managed a hardware store named Tarin Enterprise in the Jiddabazar area. According to eyewitness Mohammad Tipu, Mosharraf had just dismounted from his own auto-rickshaw and was walking across the highway to reach his shop when another auto-rickshaw collided with him. The impact left him critically injured. Local residents rushed him to a nearby hospital, where the attending doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

Mosharraf’s elder brother, Shawkat Ali, said that his brother lived in rented accommodation in Chokoria town and commuted daily to his business in Jiddabazar. “He was a responsible and hardworking businessman. This sudden loss is devastating for our family and the local community,” he added.

Officer-in-Charge of Chiringa Highway Police, Ariful Amin, confirmed the incident and said, “Police responded immediately upon receiving news of the accident. However, the driver of the auto-rickshaw fled the scene before authorities arrived. An investigation has been launched, and efforts are ongoing to locate the vehicle and its driver.” Mosharraf’s body was handed over to his family following formalities at the hospital.

Local residents have raised concerns about the frequent accidents along this stretch of the Chittagong–Cox’s Bazar highway, citing the heavy flow of vehicles, particularly auto-rickshaws and motorcycles, which pose a serious risk to pedestrians. Authorities have urged both drivers and pedestrians to exercise heightened caution while using the highway.

The table below summarises the key details of the incident:

The incident has left the local business community and residents in mourning, highlighting ongoing concerns about road safety along the highway. Authorities are calling for increased vigilance to prevent similar tragedies in the future.