Reunion turns tragic as whole family perishes on the road
Some 25 people were also injured in the tragic incident
Dr Basudeb Saha, a senior medical officer at Birdem hospital, was on his way to see his ailing mother in Gopalganj. Along with him was his wife and son, a student of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology.
What was meant to be a reunion, however, turned into tragedy, as the roads of the country yet again took more lives.
While at the South Fukra Milton Bazar in Kashiari Upazila on the Dhaka-Khulna Highway, a Dhaka-bound Rajib Paribahan bus collided with the car the family was in, killing all the private vehicle's passengers, including the driver.
News of the accident was reported at 11:00am. News of the death toll – a total of nine - came soon after.
Back in their home in Dhaka's Farmgate, the report of the deaths reached Basudeb's daughter, the sole member of the family who had remained home to prepare for her MBBS exams.
In a few minutes, almost an entire family had been wiped out.
Dr Basudeb had served at Birdem's anaesthesia department for 20 years.
Dr Nizamul Islam, joint director, Birdem Hospital, told The Business Standard, "On Saturday he was going to Gopalganj to see his sick mother and he was supposed to return the same day. He was my colleague for a long time. It is really difficult to accept his untimely death. The Birdem family is deeply saddened by his demise."
Bangladesh Medical Association has expressed its condolences over the deaths.