A husband and wife were killed after being struck by a bus while crossing the Dhaka-Khulna highway in Kashiani upazila of Gopalganj on Monday.
The accident took place at around 12 noon near the Majhigati bus stand in Kashiani. The victims were identified as Solaiman Molla, 70, and his wife Shahida Begum, 60, residents of Deola village in Alfadanga upazila of Faridpur.
Kashiani police station Officer-in-Charge Md Mahfuzur Rahman and a sergeant from Bhanga Highway Police confirmed the incident.
Police said the couple had travelled from Dhaka on another bus and got off at the Majhigati bus stand. After leaving the bus, they began crossing the highway to reach the opposite side. As they were crossing, another bus hit them and continued along the road.
Both suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene, according to police. The incident occurred in the middle of the day, when the highway was being used by regular passenger and other vehicles.
The deaths have drawn attention to the risks faced by passengers at highway bus stops. At such locations, people getting off buses may need to cross the main carriageway to reach the other side of the road. Without a safe crossing point, pedestrians can be exposed to moving vehicles travelling at considerable speed.
The Dhaka-Khulna highway serves as a major transport route between the capital and several districts in south-western Bangladesh. Buses, goods vehicles and other forms of traffic use the road throughout the day, making caution particularly important for passengers crossing near roadside stops.
Police said the necessary legal procedures were being carried out following the deaths. Once those procedures are completed, the bodies will be handed over to the victims’ relatives.
Details about the bus that struck the couple, including whether it had been identified or stopped, were not immediately available. Police have not provided further information about the circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s departure from the scene.
The deaths of the elderly couple have left their family and relatives mourning. The incident also highlights the need for greater caution around busy highway bus stands, where passengers frequently move directly from buses into areas exposed to through traffic.
For pedestrians, crossing a major highway can be particularly dangerous when vehicles are approaching from multiple directions. Drivers also need to remain alert around bus stops, where passengers may suddenly attempt to cross the road. The tragedy in Kashiani serves as another reminder of the dangers that can arise when pedestrians and fast-moving highway traffic share the same space.
