Fatal Crash on Cumilla Highway Leaves One Dead and Ten Injured

A tragic road accident on the Cumilla-Noakhali regional highway has claimed the life of a senior citizen and left at least ten others injured. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, 7 July, in the Vipulasar area under Monohorganj upazila of Cumilla district.

The deceased has been identified as 60-year-old Mostafa Kamal, a resident of Kachihata village in Noakhali district.

Details of the Collision

According to law enforcement and emergency services, the accident took place when a Dhaka-bound passenger bus operated by ‘Nilachal Paribahan’, departing from Noakhali, rammed into the back of a stationary truck. The truck had reportedly broken down on the highway and was parked on the roadside.

The impact of the collision was severe, completely mangling the front section of the passenger bus. Mostafa Kamal tragically sustained fatal injuries and died on the spot. At least ten other passengers aboard the bus suffered varying degrees of injuries.

Emergency Response and Investigation

Upon receiving information about the collision, personnel from the local Highway Police and the Fire Service and Civil Defence swiftly arrived at the scene to initiate a rescue operation. The emergency responders extracted the passengers from the damaged vehicle and expedited the transfer of the injured individuals to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment.

Osman Gani, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Lalmai Highway Crossing Police Station, confirmed the details of the incident. He stated that the authorities acted promptly following the crash to clear the wreckage from the regional highway, ensuring that the flow of traffic on the busy route was restored to normal without causing prolonged congestion.

“We have taken all necessary measures to maintain normal traffic movement on the highway. Legal proceedings regarding the circumstances of this tragic accident are currently underway,” OC Osman Gani remarked.

Background and Regional Context

Road accidents remain a critical public safety concern in Bangladesh, particularly on regional highways where broken-down vehicles, inadequate lighting, and speeding frequently contribute to fatal collisions. The Cumilla-Noakhali regional highway is a vital transport artery connecting the coastal districts with the capital, Dhaka, experiencing heavy traffic volume daily.

Incidents involving stationary, broken-down heavy vehicles on unlit highways have historically been a significant factor in night-time and early-morning transit disasters across the country. Authorities continue to urge transport owners to ensure strict maintenance standards and advise drivers to exercise heightened caution during low-visibility hours.