4 lives lost on the road in Khulna, family in mourning

The dream of taking the exam paper in hand, the desire to seek justice in court, or the hope of seeing a loved one at a doctor and returning home all came to a halt in Jhilerdanga, Dumuria, Khulna. On Monday (August 25) morning, a speeding pickup van took four lives in an instant, leaving behind a heart-wrenching and grief-stricken family. The deceased were Rustom Sheikh (60), Hafiz Sardar (53), Runa Akhter (25) and easy bike driver Mujahidul (20). Samia Khatun was going to take part in the last practical examination of the 2025 HSC. Her grandfather Rustom Sheikh took the responsibility of taking her to college. But their lives came to a halt at Jhilerdanga on the Khulna-Satkhira highway. Rustom Sheikh died on the spot in the horrific impact. The seriously injured Samia was taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital. His two legs are bloody, his condition is critical. Blood donation is underway. But he has not yet been informed that his beloved grandfather is no more. Rina Akhter, her eight-year-old son Asibur and aunt Mina Akhter were on the same easy bike. Mina Akhter died on the spot in the accident on the way to the court. Rina Akhter is fighting with death in the hospital’s OT. And little Asibur, who is almost unconscious on the floor, looks up with half-open eyes from time to time, but cannot understand where his mother is, where his aunt is. Hafiz Sardar of Kharshanda Sahas village was going to Khulna to see a doctor for his wife. The plan was to bring her back home after treatment. But fate had written a different outcome. He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Khulna Medical College. Mujahid Morol, a young easy bike driver of only 25 years old. His daily responsibility was to reach the passengers to their safe destination. But today he could no longer. His life stopped on the way to Khulna Medical College. He is the only child in the family. His wife is pregnant. Four bodies at once, four families’ lights extinguished, an eight-year-old child lying unconscious, all combined to create a heavy atmosphere of mourning in Khulna Medical. Shadows of mourning descended on the Bagdari, Kharshonda Sahas and hospital areas of Dumuria. The surroundings were filled with the cries of relatives. Eyewitnesses said that the easy bike with eight passengers was heading towards Khulna city from Dumuria Bazar. When it reached Jhilerdanga, it collided with a speeding pickup coming from the opposite direction. The easy bike instantly twisted and turned. Two riders were killed on the spot. Six people were taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital with serious injuries, while two more died during treatment. The driver and assistant of the pickup van fled after the accident. Dumuria Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Masud Rana said that the accident occurred around 8:30 am. Traffic on the Khulna-Satkhira highway was stopped at that time. Traffic was later restored with the help of police and fire service.