A devastating road accident in Rampal, Bagerhat, has claimed the lives of at least 13 people, including a newlywed couple, their family members, and the driver of a microbus. The incident occurred on Thursday (12 March) at approximately 4:00 pm near Belai Bridge on the Khulna-Mongla highway.
The collision involved a high-speed passenger bus and a microbus carrying the wedding party. Eyewitnesses reported that the vehicles collided head-on with tremendous force, causing the microbus to crumple and veer off the road. Emergency services, including local police and fire personnel, arrived promptly to begin rescue operations.
Among the deceased were the groom, Sabbir; his father, Abdur Razzak; the bride, Marzia Akter (Mitu); Mitu’s sister Lamia; Mitu’s grandmother; and the microbus driver, bringing the total death toll to 13.
Marzia Akter’s uncle, Abu Taher, explained that the wedding had taken place earlier on Thursday afternoon in Naksha village, Koira Upazila, Khulna. The bride had married Sabbir, a resident of Shelabunia in Ward 8 of Mongla Municipality. Following the ceremony, the microbus set off from the bride’s in-laws’ home carrying the newlyweds and guests towards Mongla. It was during this journey, as they reached Rampal, that the fatal collision occurred.
Inspector K.M. Hasanuzzaman of Katakhali Highway Police Station stated that the Navy-operated passenger bus was travelling towards Khulna while the microbus was heading to Mongla. “At Belai Bridge, the two vehicles collided head-on. The microbus was completely wrecked, resulting in this tragic loss of life,” he said. Survivors and the deceased were taken to Rampal Upazila Health Complex for initial care.
Sukanta Kumar Pal, the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, reported that four bodies remained at the local health complex, while several injured passengers were transferred to Khulna Medical College Hospital for further treatment.
Dr Mehenaz Mosharraf, on duty at Khulna Medical College Hospital’s emergency department, confirmed that eight bodies had been received, including three children, three women, and two men. One additional patient, critically injured upon arrival, later succumbed to their injuries.
The table below summarises the known details of the deceased:
| No. | Name | Approx. Age | Gender | Relation/Role | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sabbir | 30 | Male | Groom | Deceased |
| 2 | Abdur Razzak | 55 | Male | Father of Groom | Deceased |
| 3 | Marzia Akter (Mitu) | 25 | Female | Bride | Deceased |
| 4 | Lamia | 18 | Female | Sister of Bride | Deceased |
| 5 | Grandmother | 55 | Female | Bride’s Grandmother | Deceased |
| 6 | – | – | Male | Microbus Driver | Deceased |
| 7–13 | – | – | – | Other Passengers | Deceased |
The tragic incident has cast a pall of grief over both families and the local community. Authorities have urged drivers to exercise extreme caution on the highways, highlighting the critical need for adherence to speed regulations and safe driving practices to prevent such catastrophic events in the future.