Two motorcyclists were killed after being struck by a bus on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway in Dhamrai, on the outskirts of Dhaka, on Saturday morning (25 July). The fatal accident occurred in the Islampur area, leaving two young students dead and prompting renewed concerns over road safety on one of the region’s busiest transport corridors.
The deceased were identified as Abas Saha and Sujoy Saha. According to police and local sources, the accident began when a bus reportedly broke down and came to a halt in the main lane of the highway near Islampur. The stationary vehicle disrupted the normal flow of traffic, creating a potentially hazardous situation for vehicles approaching from behind.
Several vehicles travelling along the busy stretch were involved in a series of collisions. During the incident, a bus struck the motorcycle carrying Abas and Sujoy, leaving both riders critically injured.
Local residents rushed to the scene immediately after the crash and helped rescue the injured men. They were taken to Dhamrai Upazila Health Complex for treatment. Despite efforts to save them, both succumbed to their injuries while receiving medical care.
The deaths have cast a pall of grief over the families of the two young men. Abas Saha was a postgraduate student at Debendra College in Manikganj. Sujoy Saha, the son of Ashutosh Saha from the Shibalaya police station area of Manikganj, was an Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) candidate.
Police from Savar Highway Police Station visited the scene after receiving information about the accident and began gathering details about what had happened. Shahadat Hossain, a sub-inspector at the station, said efforts were under way to contact the victims’ relatives. Once their identities and family details had been formally confirmed, the authorities would take the necessary legal steps, he said.
The precise sequence of events leading to the crash was not immediately established. It was also unclear how fast the bus that struck the motorcycle had been travelling or exactly why the vehicles behind the broken-down bus collided in succession. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, while accounts from eyewitnesses and other people present at the scene could help establish what happened.
The accident also highlights a recurring risk on major highways: vehicles that break down in active traffic lanes can become serious hazards, particularly when approaching drivers have little time to react. On busy roads, the absence of adequate warning signals, hazard markings or timely removal of disabled vehicles can increase the likelihood of rear-end and chain collisions.
The Dhaka-Aricha Highway is a crucial transport route linking the capital with Savar, Dhamrai, Manikganj and surrounding areas. Passenger buses, goods vehicles, motorcycles and private cars use the highway throughout the day. As traffic volumes remain high, even a single disabled vehicle occupying a main lane can quickly create congestion and increase the risk of further collisions.
The deaths of Abas and Sujoy have left their families facing an immeasurable loss. Police said the legal process, including the formal identification of the deceased and subsequent arrangements concerning the bodies, would be completed in accordance with established procedures.
