COX’S BAZAR, July 28 (V7N) – Three passengers, including two sisters, were killed and three others injured in a tragic road accident after a truck hit a CNG-run auto-rickshaw in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar.
The accident occurred at around 2:00 pm on Monday on the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway in the School Pahar area under Khuniyapalong Union of Ramu.
The deceased sisters were identified as Rubina Akter and Shahina Akter, daughters of Jafar Alam from Harinmara area of Rajapalong Union in Ukhiya. The identity of the other male victim has not yet been confirmed, and police are working to identify him.
According to family members and local sources, the two sisters had gone to Cox’s Bazar court in the morning to attend a hearing related to a family case. After completing the court proceedings, they were returning home by a CNG-run auto-rickshaw when the accident occurred.
When the vehicle reached the School Pahar area, a speeding truck coming from the opposite direction collided with the auto-rickshaw. The impact left the auto-rickshaw badly damaged and several passengers were thrown from the vehicle.
One unidentified male passenger died on the spot. Local residents rescued the injured and took them to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, where Rubina Akter and Shahina Akter succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment. The remaining three injured passengers are receiving medical care, with some reportedly in critical condition.
Initially, it was reported that the auto-rickshaw was carrying six people, including the driver, at the time of the accident. Upon receiving the news, local residents, fire service personnel, and police quickly reached the scene and joined the rescue operation. Traffic movement returned to normal after the damaged vehicle was removed from the road.
Eyewitness Abdul Gafur said, “The accident happened before my eyes while I was taking my children to coaching classes. The truck hit the auto-rickshaw with great force, causing it to be completely damaged. One person died at the scene, and locals later rescued the injured and sent them to hospital.”
Ramu Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sukanta Chakraborty said police reached the spot immediately after receiving information about the accident and carried out rescue operations. He added that legal procedures regarding the bodies were underway and an investigation had been launched to determine the actual cause of the accident.
The tragic incident has cast a shadow of grief over the families of the victims. Local residents have demanded stricter control of speeding heavy vehicles, increased monitoring in accident-prone areas, and effective measures to improve road safety on the highway.
