An unidentified woman, estimated to be around 40 years of age, died in the early hours of Wednesday following a road traffic collision on the Mayor Hanif Flyover in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:30 am along the inbound section of the flyover leading from Dholairpar towards Jatrabari. According to initial reports, an unknown vehicle struck the woman, killing her instantly on the spot. It remains unclear whether the offending vehicle stopped or if the driver has been traced, as no immediate details regarding the hit-and-run vehicle were available.
Upon receiving news of the fatality, officers from Jatrabari Police Station arrived at the scene and retrieved the body from the elevated road at around 8:00 am. Sub-Inspector Md Saiduzzaman confirmed the death and noted that law enforcement immediately initiated standard legal procedures and efforts to identify the victim.
At the time of the recovery, the deceased was wearing a torn, white-patterned long-sleeved shirt paired with grey trousers. Because no identification documents or personal effects were recovered from her person, her name, address, and family background remain unconfirmed hours after the tragedy. Police are relying on her clothing, physical characteristics, and local inquiries to trace her relatives.
Following preliminary inquest formalities on site, the body was dispatched to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue at noon on Wednesday for a post-mortem examination, which will officially document the medical cause of death. SI Saiduzzaman reiterated that efforts to ascertain her identity are ongoing, adding that once confirmed, the body will be handed over to her family for final rites.
This fatality highlights broader pedestrian safety issues across Dhaka’s traffic infrastructure. The Mayor Hanif Flyover, which stretches over 11 kilometres, acts as one of the capital’s principal elevated expressways, facilitating heavy traffic flow from southern districts into the urban core. Despite steady vehicle movement even during the early morning hours, the presence of pedestrians on elevated stretches remains a recurring hazard. Limited pedestrian access controls, alongside high speeds during low-visibility dawn hours, frequently contribute to severe accidents. Authorities continue to stress the need for heightened vigilance among both drivers and pedestrians, while official investigations into the exact circumstances of the collision proceed.
