Two passengers lost their lives and another was seriously injured when a high-speed vessel collided head-on with a steel cargo bulkhead on a river in Brahmanbaria district. The tragic accident has once again cast a harsh spotlight on the safety hazards surrounding night-time navigation and the unregulated movement of heavy watercraft along rural river routes.
The fatal accident occurred at approximately 10:00 PM on Monday night along the Bemalia River near Khagalia village within the Bhalakut Union of Nasirnagar Upazila. Local residents and police authorities confirmed that the victims succumbed to their injuries following a violent impact between the two vessels in the dark.
The deceased individuals have been identified as Doyal Mia, the son of Raihan Bhuiyan from Chatolpar village in Nasirnagar Upazila, and Sajeeb Mia, the son of Hanif Mia from Bararchar village in the neighboring Kuliarchar Upazila of Kishoreganj district.
According to local accounts and preliminary police investigations, the tragedy unfolded as the speedboat was making its return journey toward Chatolpar. Earlier in the evening, the vessel had been chartered to transport a patient to the Nasirnagar Upazila Health Complex for emergency medical treatment. Having successfully dropped off the patient, the speedboat was carrying passengers back when disaster struck. As it navigated the waters near Khagalia village along the Bemalia River, it collided head-on with an oncoming heavy steel bulkhead travelling in the opposite direction.
The force of the collision left the speedboat severely damaged, throwing the passengers into distress. Local villagers rushed to the scene upon hearing the crash, launching rescue efforts to pull the victims from the water and wreckage. They quickly transported all three injured individuals to the Nasirnagar Upazila Health Complex. However, upon arrival, the attending medical staff declared Doyal and Sajeeb dead. The third passenger, who sustained non-fatal injuries, received initial medical attention at the emergency ward.
Dr Shafiqul Islam, the Resident Medical Officer (RMO) at the Nasirnagar Upazila Health Complex, verified that two victims were brought into the hospital without vital signs, while the surviving individual was treated for injuries.
Confirming the incident, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Shahinul Islam of Nasirnagar Police Station stated that local law enforcement officers had secured the details of the accident. He added that necessary legal proceedings are currently underway to address the circumstances surrounding the collision.
