A 28-year-old Bangladeshi expatriate who had been living in Qatar was killed when a passenger bus struck his motorcycle on the Dhaka–Barishal Highway in Gournadi, Barishal, on Friday morning.
The victim, identified as Opu Majhi, died at the scene of the accident at around 10am on 16 October in the Tarakupi area of Barthi Union, Gournadi Upazila. He was the son of Salek Majhi and came from Kataksthal village in the same upazila.
According to police and eyewitnesses, a passenger bus operated by Hanif Paribahan had departed from Dhaka at around 7.30am, heading towards Barishal with passengers on board. When it reached Tarakupi at approximately 10am, the bus struck a motorcycle approaching from the opposite direction.
The impact left the motorcycle badly mangled and trapped beneath the bus. Opu, who was riding the motorcycle, died at the scene. The collision drew attention from people in the surrounding area, while the circumstances of the crash became the subject of police action.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the bus was travelling at excessive speed before the collision. However, the precise cause of the accident has yet to be established through an investigation. Further examination will be needed to determine the sequence of events and whether any traffic regulations were breached.
Sub-Inspector Md Roman Molla of Gournadi Highway Police Station confirmed that police had seized both vehicles involved in the crash. He said Opu’s body was handed over to his relatives without a post-mortem examination following a request from the family. Police were preparing to file a case in connection with the incident, he added.
Opu’s sudden death is a devastating loss for his family in Kataksthal. As a Bangladeshi working abroad, his death also highlights the personal cost that road accidents can impose on families whose relatives live or work overseas.
The Dhaka–Barishal Highway is an important transport route linking the capital with southern Bangladesh. It carries long-distance passenger buses alongside private cars, motorcycles, lorries and other vehicles. Maintaining safe speeds, observing traffic rules and remaining alert to oncoming traffic are essential on such busy roads, particularly where vehicles travelling in opposite directions share the same carriageway.
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable in collisions with larger vehicles because they have limited physical protection against the force of an impact. Safe riding practices and the use of protective equipment can reduce certain risks, while responsible driving by bus and lorry operators remains vital to preventing serious crashes.
Police have taken the initial steps of securing the vehicles and preparing a case. The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances of the collision and inform any further legal action. No additional details about possible charges or the outcome of the investigation were available in the initial report.
