MONGLA, Mar 12, (V7N) – Thirteen members of a family, including the driver, were killed in a devastating road accident on the Mongla‑Khulna highway Thursday afternoon when their microbus collided head‑on with a Navy bus near Gunai Bridge in Rampal upazila of Bagerhat.

The victims were members of the family of Ward 8 BNP president of Mongla Port Municipality A. Razzak, who had gone to Koira in Khulna Wednesday night for his son Sabbir’s wedding. The newly married couple, along with other family members including sons Johnny, Abdullah, Al‑Amin, daughter Oishi, wives, sons‑in‑law, daughters‑in‑law, and grandchildren, were returning to Mongla when tragedy struck. Among the deceased were two twins. The microbus driver, Naeem of Rampal, also died.

Rampal Police Station OC (Investigation) Subrata Mondal said four bodies were taken to Rampal Upazila Health Complex and 10 to Khulna Medical College Hospital. Local administration officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, visited the scene in the evening.

The accident has cast a shadow of mourning across Mongla municipality.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family. Confirming the matter, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam, MP for Mongla‑Rampal constituency, said: “The Prime Minister expressed his condolences upon hearing the news and instructed that all arrangements be made to stand by the family. I also express my deep shock and condolences.”

Eyewitnesses reported that the Navy cordoned off the area after the accident, prohibiting photography and confiscating some mobile phones.

Katakhali Highway Police Station OC Md. Zafar Ahmed alleged that Navy vehicles often drive recklessly on the Mongla‑Khulna highway. “The matter was reported to the Navy several times, but they did not pay attention. As a result, such an accident occurred today,” he said.

END/AHS/RH