Tragic Road Crash Claims Fifteen Lives

A devastating road accident on the Dhaka–Tangail–Jamuna Bridge highway in Kalihati upazila has claimed the lives of 15 people after a heavily loaded iron rod-carrying truck overturned in the early hours of Monday. According to local authorities, most of the victims were returning home for Eid holidays when the tragedy occurred, turning a festive journey into a scene of profound grief.

The incident took place around 4:00 a.m. in the Saratail Southpara area. Preliminary findings and eyewitness accounts suggest that the northbound truck lost control and veered off the highway before plunging into a deep roadside ditch, where it overturned violently. In addition to construction rods, the vehicle was reportedly carrying several passengers, a practice strictly prohibited but still occasionally observed on highways, which significantly worsened the scale of the disaster.

Fifteen people died on the spot, trapped under heavy iron rods and the crushed body of the vehicle. At least six others sustained injuries of varying severity and were rushed to nearby medical facilities, where they are currently receiving treatment. Emergency responders from the Fire Service and Civil Defence, alongside police units, carried out swift rescue operations after being alerted to the incident.

Authorities confirmed that a significant proportion of the deceased—at least 13 individuals—were from different villages in Mananda upazila of Naogaon district. Initial indications suggest they were travelling back to their workplaces after spending the Eid holiday in their home villages. However, formal identification of all victims is still ongoing, as officials work to verify identities and notify families.

Following the recovery operation, the bodies were taken to Jamuna Bridge East Police Station, where they were placed in rows. The scene quickly became one of intense emotional distress as grieving relatives gathered, many breaking down in tears upon identifying their loved ones.

The Superintendent of Police in Tangail stated that a full investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the crash. Authorities are also examining how and why passengers were being transported in a freight vehicle. Early assessments indicate that overloading and unauthorised passenger carriage may have contributed significantly to the tragedy, though officials have stressed that conclusions will only be drawn after a thorough inquiry.

Summary of the Incident

The tragedy has once again highlighted longstanding concerns over highway safety, particularly the risks associated with overloading and the transport of passengers in cargo vehicles. Authorities have pledged to strengthen monitoring and enforcement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.