A devastating accident in Cumilla has left a family shattered, with four lives lost when a covered van overturned onto a private car on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. The heart-wrenching incident, which occurred in the Paduar Bazar Bishwa Road area, has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the persistent dangers on Bangladesh’s busy highways.
Fatal Collision on Dhaka-Chattogram Highway
The tragedy unfolded around 12:45 PM on Friday, August 22, 2025, when a covered van lost control, overturned, and crushed a private car travelling on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. According to Sub-Inspector Anisur Rahman of Cumilla Sadar Police Station, the van also collided with a CNG-run auto-rickshaw, worsening the chaos of the scene. The victims, all passengers in the private car, were identified as Mohammad Omar Ali, 80, his wife Nurjahan Begum, 65, and their sons Abul Hashem, 50, and Abul Kashem, 45, who was driving the car. The family, hailing from the Mudaffarganj area of Laksham upazila in Cumilla, was travelling together when the disaster struck.
The force of the impact left the car mangled beneath the van, trapping the passengers inside. Emergency responders from the Cumilla Sadar South Fire Station, led by Station Officer Mir Mohammad Maruf, arrived promptly and conducted a rescue operation. Despite their efforts, all four occupants of the car were pronounced dead at the scene. The operation concluded at 1:50 PM, leaving behind a grim reminder of the fragility of life on the road.
A Family’s Tragic Loss
The victims were described as a close-knit family, their lives intertwined in the quiet rhythms of Mudaffarganj. Mohammad Omar Ali and Nurjahan Begum, the elderly couple, were cherished members of their community, while their sons, Abul Hashem and Abul Kashem, were known for their dedication to their family. The loss of all four in a single moment has left relatives and neighbours in profound grief. Local residents gathered near the accident site, some offering prayers, others struggling to process the scale of the tragedy.
This accident underscores the growing concern over road safety in Bangladesh, where heavy vehicles like covered vans often share congested highways with smaller cars and auto-rickshaws. The Dhaka-Chattogram highway, a vital artery for commerce and travel, has witnessed numerous accidents in recent years, raising questions about infrastructure, vehicle maintenance, and driver accountability.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Response
Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, with preliminary reports suggesting the van may have lost control due to high speed or mechanical failure. Sub-Inspector Rahman stated that a detailed probe is underway to determine the exact circumstances, including whether road conditions or driver error played a role. The driver of the covered van reportedly fled the scene, complicating efforts to ascertain responsibility.
The Cumilla community has rallied in the wake of the tragedy, with local leaders calling for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations. Social media posts on X reflect public outrage and sorrow, with many users demanding improved road safety measures and accountability for negligent drivers. While these sentiments echo the pain felt across the region, the focus remains on supporting the bereaved family and preventing future tragedies.
A Call for Safer Roads
This heartbreaking accident in Cumilla serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures in Bangladesh. The loss of four lives in a single family has left an indelible mark on their community, amplifying calls for better infrastructure, rigorous vehicle inspections, and stricter traffic law enforcement. As investigations continue, the nation mourns the victims of this preventable tragedy, hoping their deaths will spur meaningful change to protect others on the roads.
The incident on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway is not just a statistic; it is a profound loss of lives, dreams, and futures. The memory of Mohammad Omar Ali, Nurjahan Begum, Abul Hashem, and Abul Kashem will linger in the hearts of those they left behind, urging authorities to act swiftly to prevent further accidents and ensure such a tragedy does not strike another family.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 29th, 2025
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