At least three people, including an auto-rickshaw driver, were killed in a tragic road collision in Srimangal Upazila, located in the northeastern region of Bangladesh. The fatal accident occurred on Monday evening (30 March) along the Dhaka–Sylhet Highway in the Sirajnagar area, plunging the locality into mourning and briefly disrupting traffic movement on the busy arterial route.
According to police and local eyewitnesses, a passenger microbus travelling at high speed towards Srimangal collided head-on with a CNG-run auto-rickshaw coming from the opposite direction. The force of the impact was severe, leaving the smaller vehicle completely crushed and trapping its occupants inside the mangled frame.
Immediately after the collision, local residents rushed to the scene and initiated rescue efforts before emergency services arrived. With considerable difficulty, they managed to extract four individuals from the wreckage and transported them swiftly to Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital. Medical officers on duty later declared two of them dead upon arrival. A third victim succumbed to injuries shortly afterwards, raising the confirmed death toll to three.
The deceased auto-rickshaw driver has been identified as Hannan Mia (35), a resident of North Bharaura village in Srimangal. The identities of the remaining two victims have not yet been confirmed by authorities, who are continuing efforts to verify the details and inform their families.
Police from Srimangal confirmed the fatalities and stated that legal procedures are underway. The bodies have been sent to the morgue at Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examinations. Authorities are also investigating the cause of the collision, including whether excessive speed or reckless driving played a role.
A summary of the incident is presented below:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Sirajnagar area, Dhaka–Sylhet Highway |
| Time | Monday, 30 March (evening) |
| Vehicles involved | Passenger microbus and CNG-run auto-rickshaw |
| Death toll | 3 |
| Injured | Not yet confirmed |
| Identified deceased | Hannan Mia (35), auto-rickshaw driver |
| Rescue operation | Conducted by locals, later supported by emergency response |
| Body location | Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital morgue |
Residents of the area have long expressed concern over frequent accidents on this stretch of highway. They cite several contributing factors, including excessive speed, reckless overtaking, and hazardous bends along certain sections of the road. Many have called for stricter traffic enforcement, improved monitoring, and enhanced road safety measures to prevent further loss of life.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the persistent road safety challenges in Bangladesh, where fatal collisions remain a regular occurrence on major highways. Experts argue that without stronger enforcement of traffic regulations, better driver training, and systematic road engineering improvements, such incidents are likely to continue.
As the investigation proceeds, grief has engulfed the local community. Families of the victims are mourning their loss, while residents are demanding accountability and urgent action to improve road safety standards on one of the country’s busiest intercity routes.