A devastating road accident occurred on the Padma Bridge in the early hours of Monday, claiming the life of Tofail Mia, a 27-year-old bus conductor. The incident took place around 2:45 a.m. near Pier 29 on the Jajira side of the iconic bridge, leaving several passengers injured and traffic temporarily halted.
Tofail Mia was serving as the assistant to the driver of a Basumati Transport bus operating on the Dhaka–Bhanga route. He hailed from Daulatpur in Madaripur Sadar, the son of the late Selim Mia. According to police and local sources, the tragedy unfolded when the ‘Padma Special’, a bus travelling from Dhaka to Kuakata, was crossing the bridge. As it approached Pier 29, another Basumati Transport bus following closely behind collided with the vehicle from the rear.
The force of the impact caused Tofail Mia to be thrown from the bus, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. At least ten passengers sustained injuries in the collision. Emergency personnel, including bridge staff and police officers, promptly rescued the injured and transported them to the Jajira Upazila Health Complex for treatment. Medical staff confirmed the death upon arrival.
The accident led to the temporary suspension of traffic from Mawa to Jajira for nearly an hour. Following the removal of the two damaged buses, normal traffic flow resumed.
Sub-Inspector Kabir Ahmed of the Jajira Padma Bridge South Police stated, “Upon receiving the report, we retrieved the body and sent it to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination. Legal procedures are underway, and the two buses involved have been seized by police.”
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining safe distances and exercising caution while driving on bridges and highways. Authorities have urged both transport operators and drivers to remain vigilant to prevent future mishaps. Locals have expressed concern over the prolonged traffic disruption caused by the accident, highlighting the inconvenience faced by passengers and motorists alike.
Repeated incidents of this nature on the Padma Bridge have raised fresh concerns regarding regional traffic safety. Police and bridge authorities continue to emphasise regular monitoring, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and public awareness campaigns to avert similar tragedies in the future.