A deadly road accident on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway has claimed two lives and left three others injured in the early hours of Wednesday, underscoring persistent concerns over unsafe driving practices on one of Bangladesh’s busiest transport corridors.
The incident occurred in the Kanra area of Daudkandi upazila in Cumilla at dawn on 1 April. According to police and local witnesses, five passengers were travelling in a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw, returning home after attending a religious gathering at a shrine in the Beltoli area of Matlab. As the vehicle approached the highway, it reportedly attempted to cross the road by moving against the designated flow of traffic.
At that moment, a speeding unidentified vehicle struck the auto-rickshaw with considerable force. The impact was so severe that two passengers died instantly at the scene, while the remaining three sustained serious injuries. Emergency responders and locals rushed to assist the victims before they were taken to nearby medical facilities.
The deceased have been identified as Barek (42), son of the late Latu Mia of Sarkarpur village, and Mostafa (40), son of Nur Islam. Both men were reportedly auto-rickshaw drivers by profession. The injured—Nabir Hossain (38), Kawsar (40), Ismail (37), and Sagar Mia (35)—are currently undergoing treatment, with one in critical condition having been transferred to a hospital in Dhaka for advanced care.
Highway police officials from Daudkandi stated that travelling in the wrong direction on major roads remains a significant cause of fatal accidents. Preliminary investigations suggest that the auto-rickshaw suddenly entered the opposite lane in an attempt to cross, leaving the oncoming vehicle with little or no time to react. The offending vehicle fled the scene immediately after the collision, and efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Family members of the victims expressed profound grief, noting that their loved ones had set out on what was meant to be a safe journey home after a religious অনুষ্ঠান. Instead, the ঘটনায় has cast a shadow of mourning over their পরিবার.
Accident Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Kanra, Daudkandi, Cumilla |
| Highway | Dhaka–Chattogram Highway |
| Time | Early morning, 1 April |
| নিহত (Fatalities) | 2 persons |
| আহত (Injured) | 3 persons |
| Cause | Wrong-way crossing and high-speed collision |
| Vehicles Involved | CNG auto-rickshaw and unidentified vehicle |
The tragedy highlights the lethal consequences of disregarding traffic regulations, particularly on high-speed highways. Road safety experts have reiterated the urgent need for stricter enforcement, improved driver awareness, and targeted training initiatives. Without decisive action to curb dangerous practices such as wrong-way driving, similar incidents are likely to recur with devastating human cost.