A devastating road accident in Mirsharai Upazila claimed the lives of three sisters and a pedestrian, while five others sustained serious injuries. The incident occurred on Wednesday at approximately 9:30 a.m. near Borotakia Bazar, beside Zahedia Dakhil Madrasa, on the Dhaka–Chittagong Highway’s Chittagong-bound lane.
According to initial reports, among the deceased was 15-year-old Khadija Mashmum, who was preparing for her Dakhil examination. Her younger sisters, 13-year-old Tofia Tabassum and 11-year-old Umme Habiba, were seriously injured in the accident. Eyewitnesses reported that the sisters were walking hand-in-hand towards the madrasa when a speeding truck struck them.
The collision also caused a nearby CNG auto-rickshaw to veer off the road into an adjacent pond. Losing control, the truck subsequently ran over the pedestrians again before ultimately plunging into the same pond. Witnesses noted that the sisters were only around 500 metres from the madrasa entrance at the time of the accident. In addition to the sisters, 40-year-old Abul Khayer and two unidentified individuals sustained serious injuries. All the injured were rushed to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for treatment.
The details of the deceased and injured are as follows:
| Name / Identity | Age | Status / Class | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khadija Mashmum | 15 | Dakhil Examinee | Deceased |
| Tofia Tabassum | 13 | Grade 9 | Seriously Injured |
| Umme Habiba | 11 | Grade 7 | Seriously Injured |
| Unidentified Pedestrian | – | – | Deceased |
| Abul Khayer | 40 | Pedestrian | Seriously Injured |
| Two Unidentified Individuals | – | – | Seriously Injured |
Family sources confirmed that the three sisters were daughters of Nasir Uddin, a resident of Khayachar Union in Polmogora village. Following the accident, a pall of grief descended on the village, with relatives and neighbours paying their final respects.
Mirsharai Circle’s Assistant Superintendent of Police, Nadim Haider Chowdhury, confirmed that police promptly arrived at the scene and ensured that the injured were taken to hospital. He stated that the deaths of at least two individuals had been confirmed and that medical treatment was ongoing for the others.
Local residents have expressed concern over the placement of the highway lane near the madrasa entrance, which they say poses a high risk of accidents due to speeding vehicles. They urged authorities to implement stricter safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.