Rampal road tragedy: Eid joy shattered for families without loved ones

The family of the fourteen people who were killed in a tragic road accident at Belai Bridge on the Khulna-Mongla highway in Rampal of Bagerhat, still mourning the death of their beloved during Eid.

The accident, which also took lives of a news married couple, has cast a long shadow over Eid for the affected families.

The tragical accident took place on the afternoon of February 12, when a Navy staff bus collided head-on with a passenger microbus.

Following requests from the families, the victims’ bodies were handed over without autopsy and buried after Friday prayers. A case has been filed by the groom’s brother, Ashraful Islam, at Rampal Police Station.

In Chhattarlane near Mongla Upazila, the home of Abdur Razzak remains in deep mourning, as nine members of his family were among the deceased. Survivors say they have not been able to come to terms with their loss.

Ashraful Islam said, “How can we celebrate Eid? One accident has taken everything—my father, brother, wife, three children, sister, niece, and brother’s new wife. Only my mother and two brothers remain. There is no Eid for us.”

Neighbours also expressed grief over the tragedy. Md. Gani Sardar recalled, “Razzak used to distribute food and clothes before Eid every year. Now, everything is gone.”

Redwan Islam added, “I prayed Tarawih and Eid prayers with Razzak and his sons for years. This Eid feels empty without them.”

In a separate family, microbus driver Naeem’s widow, Kobita Akter, organized a prayer gathering for her late husband in Mongla. Living with her only daughter and mother-in-law, she said the family could not celebrate Eid after losing their sole breadwinner.

She added, “My Eid ended the day of the accident. My daughter still doesn’t understand that her father is gone and keeps asking about him.”