A devastating head-on collision between a speeding minibus and a battery-powered autorickshaw claimed the lives of four members of the same family on Saturday afternoon, casting a shadow of grief over the usually bustling Dhaka–Dinajpur Highway.
The catastrophic crash occurred at approximately 2:00pm at Dashmile, directly in front of the Nashipur Wheat and Maize Research Institute.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and despair as emergency responders rushed to the mangled wreckage. The deceased are Marjina, wife of Yakub; Tanjima, wife of Aminul Islam; Sumi Akhter, wife of Anwar Hossain; and Sadia, wife of Abdus Salam – all of whom are relatives.
The autorickshaw driver and an undefined child are admitted to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital.
According to Dinajpur Kotwali Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (Investigation), Moniruzzaman, the victims hailed from Kutair Majhapara village in Kamalpur Union of Sadar Upazila.
Initial reports confirm that the deceased included Morjina Khatun, her niece Sadia, and two other close relatives – Tanjila and Sumi – on what was meant to be a joyful pilgrimage to the famed Ras Mela at the historic Kantajiu Temple.
Sub-Inspector Rezaul Karim of Dinajpur Dashmile Highway Police Station revealed that the family’s autorickshaw was struck head-on by the Dinajpur-bound “Nasib Paribahan” minibus under circumstances still under investigation.
“They were on their way to celebrate a cultural festival,” Karim said, his voice heavy with sorrow. “In an instant, celebration turned to catastrophe.”
The impact was so violent that the autorickshaw was virtually crushed, sending debris flying across the road. Miraculously, the autorickshaw driver and another child survived and are now receiving urgent medical care at Dinajpur Medical College Hospital.
The collision triggered massive traffic gridlock, with hundreds of vehicles stranded on both carriageways for several hours. Frustrated locals, demanding immediate action against reckless driving, erected makeshift barricades at the crash site, halting traffic and calling for stricter enforcement of road safety laws.
Grief-stricken relatives and neighbours gathered outside the hospital and at the victims’ home, many breaking down as news of the tragedy spread. Community leaders have urged authorities to install better signage, speed breakers, and monitoring systems along this notoriously dangerous stretch of highway.