The accident took place at around 4am near the Sreenagar Ferry Ghat area, on the Mawa-bound lane of the expressway. The collision left the front section of the minibus severely crushed, trapping the driver inside the wreckage and prompting an emergency rescue operation by firefighters.
According to Fire Service sources, the minibus was carrying relatives of expatriate Russell Matubbar, who had travelled to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka to receive him after his return from Italy. The group was heading towards their home in Madaripur when the accident occurred.
While travelling along the expressway, the minibus reportedly lost control due to its high speed and slammed into the rear of a covered van parked beside the road. The force of the impact caused extensive damage to the front of the vehicle. The driver, Md Ibrahim, became trapped inside as the collision left the vehicle badly deformed.
The injured passengers were identified as Rumpa Khatun, 35, Mim Akter, 18, Khadija Akter, 18, expatriate Russell Matubbar, 30, Siraj Matubbar, 70, Rony Matubbar, 28, and Mehedi, 35. All seven are from the Bolsa village area of Madaripur Sadar.
The other two injured people were minibus driver Md Ibrahim, 36, a resident of the Goran area in Khilgaon, Dhaka, and Al-Amin, 30, from Mymensingh.
Following reports of the accident, two rescue units from the Sreenagar Fire Service Station rushed to the scene. Firefighters used specialised rescue equipment to reach those trapped in the damaged vehicle and safely extract the driver. The other injured passengers were also rescued.
All nine victims were subsequently transported by Fire Service ambulance to Sreenagar Upazila Health Complex for medical treatment. No further details about their medical conditions were immediately available.
Muhammad Shafiqul Islam PFM, Deputy Assistant Director of Munshiganj Fire Service and Civil Defence, confirmed the accident and the rescue operation.
The Dhaka-Mawa Expressway is a major transport corridor connecting the capital with the south-western region of Bangladesh. It carries a considerable volume of passenger and commercial traffic, making safe driving practices particularly important.
Collisions involving stationary heavy vehicles can have serious consequences, especially when approaching vehicles are travelling at high speeds. Reduced visibility during the early hours of the morning may also make it harder for drivers to identify obstacles and react in time.
Maintaining appropriate speeds, keeping a safe distance from other vehicles and ensuring that heavy vehicles are parked in designated safe areas are essential to reducing the risk of such accidents. The Sreenagar collision, which left nine people injured and a minibus extensively damaged, has once again highlighted the importance of road safety on one of the country’s key highways.
