A tragic road accident in Sylhet claimed the life of a local resident early on Sunday morning as he was en route to collect the body of a deceased neighbour. The incident occurred in the Sonargaon area of South Surma, when the private car carrying the victim collided head-on with an oncoming truck. The accident also left four other passengers, including the car driver, injured and receiving treatment at Osmani Medical College Hospital.
The deceased has been identified as Najrul Islam (Niyaz), aged 52. He was a resident of Abutalipur village under Joychandi Union in Kulaura Upazila of Moulvibazar, and the son of the late Yakub Ali. His younger brother, local journalist Azizul Islam, confirmed the details and provided updates on the condition of the injured.
According to information obtained from the injured passengers, Najrul and four fellow residents had rented a private car early on Sunday morning to transport the body of their neighbour Abdul Ahad, who passed away at his home in Sylhet on Saturday night. Ahad, a respected community figure, had previously served as the imam of the mosque at Osmani International Airport. After performing the Fajr prayer, the group set off to bring the body home.
The accident took place around 6:00 a.m. when their car collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction in the Sonargaon area. Najrul Islam died instantly at the scene, while the other passengers were rushed to Osmani Medical College Hospital by local residents who arrived promptly to assist. South Surma Police recovered the body from the site and ensured it was transported safely to the hospital.
Azizul Islam added that the family is attempting to bring Najrul’s body home without undergoing a formal post-mortem. Najrul was married but had no children. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the collision and emphasised the need for safer road travel in the area.
The table below summarises the key details of the victims involved in the accident:
| No. | Name | Age | Role / Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Najrul Islam (Niyaz) | 52 | Car passenger, brother of Azizul Islam | Deceased |
| 2 | Private car driver | Unknown | Driver of the rented car | Injured, hospitalised |
| 3 | Passenger 1 | Unknown | Fellow resident | Injured, hospitalised |
| 4 | Passenger 2 | Unknown | Fellow resident | Injured, hospitalised |
| 5 | Passenger 3 | Unknown | Fellow resident | Injured, hospitalised |
| 6 | Passenger 4 | Unknown | Fellow resident | Injured, hospitalised |
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the risks faced by residents travelling for urgent family matters. Neighbours and community members have expressed their condolences to the bereaved family, mourning the untimely death of Najrul Islam.