During the recent Eid holiday, a tragic wave of road accidents across Bangladesh claimed the lives of 26 people, leaving numerous others injured. These incidents occurred between the night of Saturday, 21 March, and Sunday, 22 March evening, affecting districts including Comilla, Habiganj, Feni, Kishoreganj, Sunamganj, Naogaon, Natore, and Cox’s Bazar.
Table of Contents
Casualty Breakdown by District
| District | Fatalities | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Comilla | 12 | Major bus-train collision |
| Habiganj | 4 | Pickup van plunged into ditch |
| Feni | 3 | Bus-ambulance chain collision |
| Kishoreganj | 2 | Pickup-motorcycle collision |
| Sunamganj | 2 | Motorcycle accident |
| Naogaon | 1 | Vehicle overturned into pond |
| Natore | 1 | Private car collided with truck |
| Cox’s Bazar | 1 | Motorbike-vehicle collision |
| Total | 26 |
Comilla: Devastating Bus-Train Collision
In Comilla Sadar South, a mail train bound for Chittagong collided with a Mamun Special passenger bus at the Jangalia Kochua level crossing in the early hours of Sunday. The collision claimed twelve lives, including seven men, three women, and two children, and left at least 20 others injured.
Railway authorities have established two investigation committees, while the district administration has formed a separate team to determine the cause. Preliminary reports suggest the bus entered the rail line while the level crossing was unattended.
Habiganj: Pickup Van Plunges into Ditch
In Madhabpur Upazila, a pickup van travelling from Sunamganj to Kishoreganj lost control and fell into a roadside ditch in Andiura, killing four occupants, including a woman and a child. Police indicated that poor visibility and loss of control at night contributed to the accident.
Feni: Multi-Vehicle Highway Collision
On the Dhaka–Chattogram highway near Rampur, Feni, a bus rear-ended an ambulance, sparking a chain collision involving two motorcycles and additional buses. Three individuals died on-site, and another succumbed at Feni Sadar Hospital. Authorities seized four buses and two motorcycles for investigation.
Other Notable Incidents
- Natore: A private car collided with a parked truck, killing 29-year-old engineer Zulfiqar Ali the day before his wedding.
- Kishoreganj: Two motorcyclists were killed when a pickup van struck their vehicle in Daryakandi, Kuliarchar.
- Sunamganj: Two friends died and one was injured after losing control of a motorcycle near Gagli, Dhirai.
- Cox’s Bazar: 30-year-old Anis died after a motorbike collided with a tourist vehicle on Shahpori Island road.
- Naogaon: A 12-year-old boy, Hridoy, drowned after a small vehicle overturned into a pond during Eid celebrations.
Authorities Respond
Highway police and fire service teams swiftly attended most accident sites, rescuing survivors and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. Bodies were sent for post-mortem examination before being released to families. Officials stressed the urgent need for road safety awareness, vehicle maintenance, and stricter enforcement, particularly during festive periods when traffic surges.
These tragedies underscore the vulnerability of Bangladesh’s roads during peak travel periods, highlighting the importance of adherence to traffic regulations, cautious driving, and public vigilance to prevent further loss of life.