A horrific road accident in Cox’s Bazar’s Pekua Upazila has claimed the life of a two-year-old child and left six others injured. The collision occurred on Thursday morning (19 February) around 9:30 a.m. on the Chokoria-Magnama road, in the area of Anar Ali Matbor Para. The deceased child has been identified as Tahasin (2), daughter of Abdul Haque from Palakata village in Eidgaon Upazila.
According to family sources, Tahasin and her mother, Anarkali, were travelling from their home in Palakata village to visit relatives in Kutubdia. On their journey, their CNG-run auto-rickshaw collided head-on with a passenger bus operating under the “Balaka Service” company. The impact was fatal for Tahasin, who died instantly at the scene, while her mother sustained severe injuries.
Several other passengers in the auto-rickshaw were also hurt in the accident. Local residents promptly rescued the victims and transported them to Pekua Upazila Health Complex. Doctors on duty pronounced Tahasin dead upon arrival, while hospital sources indicated that several of the injured remain in critical condition.
Pekua police officer-in-charge Khairul Alam confirmed the incident, stating: “Upon receiving news of the accident, police inspected the site and brought the situation under control. After legal formalities, the body of the deceased child was handed over to the family.” He further added that the injured are receiving necessary medical treatment, and an investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing.
Casualties and Injuries
| Name / Identity | Age | Relation | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tahasin | 2 years | Child | Deceased |
| Anarkali | Unknown | Mother | Critically injured |
| Unknown child 1 | Unknown | Child | Injured |
| Unknown child 2 | Unknown | Child | Injured |
| Unknown child 3 | Unknown | Child | Injured |
| Other adult individuals | Unknown | – | Injured |
| Other persons | Unknown | – | Injured |
The tragedy has underscored the urgent need for improved road safety measures and stricter traffic monitoring in the area. Residents and relatives have praised the swift response of local people in rescuing the injured and facilitating prompt medical care.
Experts have expressed deep concern over the physical and psychological toll of such accidents on children and families. They emphasise the importance of rigorous road safety enforcement, vehicle control, and public awareness to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This devastating collision has reignited awareness in the local community about the critical importance of observing traffic regulations and ensuring safer road travel.