In a heartbreaking incident in Chokoria, Cox’s Bazar, a ten-year-old girl lost her life after her scarf became entangled while playing on a swing. The tragic event occurred on Tuesday morning at approximately 9:30 am in the Goyalmara area of Harbang Union.
The deceased child, Akrita Jannat, was the daughter of Ziaur Rahman, a Bangladeshi expatriate residing in the United Arab Emirates. Akrita was a fourth-grade student at Goyalmara Ahmadiya Ibteda’i Madrasa. Locals reported that she had returned home from her morning madrasa classes and was playing on the swing in her family’s courtyard when the scarf she was wearing wrapped around the swing, causing a severe neck injury.
Family members immediately rushed her to Lohagara Upazila Health Complex, where the attending doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.
Akrita’s mother, Yasmin Akter, aged 30, has been inconsolable following the tragedy. Relatives described her as repeatedly losing consciousness in her grief. Yasmin revealed that Akrita was their eldest child, and that her father had recently sent money from abroad for the family’s Eid preparations. The previous day, he had visited Lohagara shopping mall to buy gifts for the children. Yasmin recalled, “My daughter returned home so happy yesterday. And now, this morning, my little bird has flown away.”
Speaking about the incident, Yasmin added, “After having sehri, I had gone back to sleep. Akrita woke up on her own to attend the madrasa. When she returned, she was playing on the swing in the courtyard. I was asleep and did not notice anything. My daughter suffered immensely.”
Local authorities also expressed their concern over the accident. Harbang Union Parishad member, Md. Shafiul Alam, told First Alo, “This tragic incident occurred due to a moment of carelessness. The entire community is now under a shadow of grief following her death.”
The table below summarises key details of the incident:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Child’s Name | Akrita Jannat (10 years old) |
| Father | Ziaur Rahman (UAE-based expatriate) |
| Mother | Yasmin Akter (30 years old) |
| School | Goyalmara Ahmadiya Ibteda’i Madrasa, Grade 4 |
| Location | Goyalmara, Harbang Union, Chokoria, Cox’s Bazar |
| Cause of Death | Scarf entangled in swing leading to neck injury |
| Medical Response | Pronounced dead at Lohagara Upazila Health Complex |
The incident has left the community mourning and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of careful supervision of young children during play, especially when clothing items such as scarves may pose strangulation risks. The local administration and residents are urging parents to remain vigilant to prevent similar tragedies.
The loss of Akrita has profoundly impacted her family and neighbours, leaving a void in Goyalmara that will be felt for a long time.