An eight-year-old girl from Sitakunda, Chattogram, who was discovered severely injured in a remote forested area with stab wounds to her neck, has tragically passed away while undergoing treatment. Her death was confirmed at Chattogram Medical College Hospital at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Monday.
The girl’s maternal uncle told Prothom Alo on Tuesday morning that the family had made every possible effort to save her, but despite intensive care, she could not be saved. Preliminary investigations indicate that an unidentified assailant abducted the child, sexually assaulted her, and inflicted a knife wound to her neck. Miraculously, the injured girl managed to walk through the rugged terrain to reach the operator of an excavator working on a road repair project, pleading for help.
Her uncle added that the news of her death has left her parents in a state of shock, frequently losing consciousness from grief. The girl’s body is currently at the Chattogram Medical College morgue and will be brought home for burial following a legal autopsy.
Police and rescue teams reported that the child was found on Sunday morning on a hill path approximately 500 metres north of Sahosrodhara Waterfall, located within Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco Park. The rescuers were primarily road construction workers who were working in the area. She was initially admitted to Sitakunda Upazila Health Complex for emergency care before being transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
During her treatment, she underwent surgery to her neck on the same night. On Monday, she was moved to the hospital’s One-Stop Crisis Cell (OCC) for specialised care.
Sitakunda police officer-in-charge Md. Mohinul Islam confirmed that the child’s mother filed a case on Sunday night against an unidentified person, accusing them of abduction and attempted murder. The case is expected to be upgraded to a murder investigation as the inquiry progresses.
Timeline of Rescue and Medical Care
| Date | Event | Location/Procedure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 March 2026 | Child rescued from hill area | Hill path near Sitakunda Botanical Garden |
| 1 March 2026 | Initial medical treatment | Sitakunda Upazila Health Complex |
| 1 March 2026 | Hospital admission & neck surgery | Chattogram Medical College Hospital |
| 2 March 2026 | Transferred to One-Stop Crisis Cell | Chattogram Medical College Hospital |
| 2 March 2026 | Death | Chattogram Medical College Hospital |
Local authorities and medical professionals have expressed deep concern over the incident, emphasising the urgent need to protect children and swiftly bring perpetrators to justice. The tragedy has cast a shadow of grief across the community, and local administration is providing support to the bereaved family.
Experts stress that this incident highlights systemic weaknesses in child protection mechanisms nationwide. Coordinated efforts among schools, families, and local authorities are essential to ensure children’s safety. The case has prompted urgent calls for both stronger law enforcement and comprehensive protective measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.