They dreamed of going home with Eid clothes, but road became final journey

Some had been away from their families for two months, some for three. They worked as day labourers, hawkers and construction workers in various parts of the country. With Eid approaching, they bought new clothes and toys for their wives and children with their hard-earned money. Everyone was returning home hoping to celebrate Eid with their loved ones. But that journey became their final one.

At least 15 people died and another 10 were injured when a rod-laden truck lost control and overturned on the eastern side of the Jamuna Bridge in Tangail. The accident occurred early on Monday morning, May 25, in the Saratail area. Most of the dead and injured were labourers from various districts returning home for Eid.

After finishing work in Chattogram, Noakhali and surrounding areas, they were returning to various districts in North Bengal on a rod-laden truck. Iron angle bars were inside the truck, with tarpaulin spread over them. About 30 labourers were packed tightly together. Some were daily wage workers, others sold small items as hawkers.

Injured Tarikul Islam said he and three others boarded the truck from Alankar Mor in Chattogram to go to Chapainawabganj in Rajshahi. They worked as daily labourers in Chattogram and were returning home with purchases for their families for Eid.

He said they paid Tk 2,300 fare and boarded the truck around 2:00 pm. Tarpaulin was spread over the iron angle bars in the truck. Later, 22 more people boarded from Feni and four from Dhaka. Everyone sat tightly packed. After crossing Dhaka, many fell asleep. They did not realise when the truck overturned. When he regained consciousness, he found himself in hospital.

Abdul Rahman from Manda upazila in Naogaon said 18 of them used to hawk various items like lace-ribbon, children's toys, earrings and other products in Begumganj, Noakhali. They had left home about two months ago for business. Everyone was returning home to spend time with their families for Eid.

He said each paid Tk 350 fare from Feni to board the truck. The driver stopped several times along the way for tea and biscuits. Everyone began feeling sleepy after crossing Gazipur. Shortly after leaving Tangail early in the morning, the truck suddenly overturned by the roadside. He survived after being thrown clear, but many were crushed under the rods. Locals, police and fire service members later rescued them and took them to hospital.

Many of the survivors are still unable to comprehend how a journey of a few hours turned into their most traumatic memory.