Tragedy struck Sirajganj Sadar Upazila on Sunday afternoon (25 January) when the wall of a handwashing basin at Shaluyabhita Bazaar suddenly collapsed, resulting in the deaths of two young children and leaving two others injured. The incident occurred in the Khokshabari Union of the upazila.
The identities of the affected children are as follows:
| Name | Age | Parent | Village/Union | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raihan Hossain | 5 | Faridul Islam | Char Shailabari, Khokshabari | Deceased |
| Sumi Khatun | 1.5 | Sajib Sheikh | Char Shailabari, Khokshabari | Deceased |
| Abir Hossain | 2 | Menhaz | Char Shailabari, Khokshabari | Injured |
| Sanjida Khatun | 2 | Samidul Islam | Char Shailabari, Khokshabari | Injured |
Eyewitnesses and relatives reported that the basin had been constructed by the Department of Public Health Engineering during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide handwashing facilities at the bazaar. Over the years, the structure had been left neglected. On Sunday, the four children were reportedly playing on the basin when the wall unexpectedly gave way, pinning them underneath.
Local residents rushed the injured children to Sirajganj 250-Bed General Hospital. Doctors pronounced Raihan Hossain and Sumi Khatun dead on arrival, while the other two children, Abir Hossain and Sanjida Khatun, are receiving treatment and their condition is being closely monitored.
Officer-in-Charge of Sirajganj Sadar Police Station, Shahidul Islam, confirmed that police were dispatched immediately after receiving news of the accident. The bodies of the deceased children were handed over to their families.
Sirajganj Sadar Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Mamun Khan visited the site and announced that financial assistance had been provided to the affected families. Each of the deceased children’s families received 40,000 BDT, totalling 80,000 BDT, while the families of the injured children received 10,000 BDT each, amounting to 20,000 BDT.
A three-member investigation committee has been formed to determine the cause of the collapse and to recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Local residents have expressed concern over the deteriorating infrastructure in the bazaar, urging authorities to ensure the safety of children and the public in communal spaces.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the village community, highlighting the urgent need for regular maintenance of public facilities and greater vigilance to safeguard vulnerable members of society, particularly children.