Just before midnight on Saturday, a tragic accident occurred in Jiddabazar, a locality in the Lakshyar Char Union of Chokoria Upazila, Cox’s Bazar. Seventy-year-old Rafiqul Alam, a long-time resident of the area, was sitting outside a tea stall near his home, chatting with neighbours, when a pickup van lost control on the adjacent Chittagong–Cox’s Bazar highway and crashed into the shop. Rafiqul was struck by the vehicle and suffered severe injuries. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital and subsequently transferred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment, he died en route.
Rafiqul’s nephew, Mainuddin Hasan, described the scene: “My uncle was sitting at the roadside tea stall around 11:45 pm. Suddenly, the pickup van veered off the highway and smashed into the shop. Alongside my uncle, another local resident, Ruhul Amin, aged 45, was also injured.” Both victims were immediately taken to a local hospital. Rafiqul’s condition was critical, prompting doctors to recommend transfer to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, but unfortunately, he did not survive the journey.
Mainuddin further explained that Rafiqul sustained injuries to his head and multiple other parts of his body. He added, “Local residents detained the driver along with the van, though the driver was later released. The pickup van remains at the Jiddabazar site.”
The incident has been officially confirmed by Ariful Amin, Officer-in-Charge of Chiringa Highway Police Station. Speaking to the media, he stated that police are coordinating with local residents to take custody of the vehicle. Legal action will be initiated following complaints filed by the victim’s family.
A summary of the accident details is provided below:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | Saturday night, approximately 11:45 pm–12:00 am |
| Location | Jiddabazar, Lakshyar Char Union, Chokoria, Cox’s Bazar |
| Victim | Rafiqul Alam, 70 years old |
| Injured | Ruhul Amin, 45 years old |
| Vehicle Involved | Pickup van |
| Nature of Accident | Van lost control, crashed into roadside tea stall |
| Immediate Response | Local residents detained driver; police involved |
| Current Status of Vehicle | Remains at Jiddabazar, under police supervision |
The accident has caused shock among local residents, highlighting ongoing concerns over road safety and the need for stricter vehicle control measures. Locals have called for increased vigilance on this busy stretch of highway, warning that even a momentary lapse can have fatal consequences.
This tragic event serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by uncontrolled vehicles on busy roads and the critical importance of adhering to traffic regulations to prevent further loss of life.