Tragedy Strikes as Young Hafiza Lost in Daulatdia Ferry Ghat Disaster
A devastating bus accident at the Daulatdia ferry ghat in Rajbari has claimed the life of a promising young hafiza, Ayesha Siddika, aged 10. Ayesha, who had memorized the 18th Para (section) of the Holy Quran, was travelling with her family on a Souhardya Paribahan bus that departed from Kushtia’s Kumar Khali counter. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, saw the bus tragically plunge into the Padma River, leading to a desperate search and recovery operation.
The harrowing ordeal began when the bus, carrying numerous passengers including Ayesha and her family, lost control and sank into the churning waters of the Padma. Ayesha was among those who went missing in the immediate aftermath. Dedicated efforts by a Fire Service diving team were instrumental in locating and recovering her body. The tragic discovery brought a somber end to the search for the young girl.
On Thursday morning, at approximately 9 am, Ayesha Siddika was laid to rest in her family graveyard at Shomospur, located in the Khoksa Upazila. She was buried beside her elder uncle, a poignant final resting place that underscored the deep familial bonds within the community. The funeral was attended by grieving family members, local residents, and officials, all united in their sorrow over the profound loss.
A Father’s Anguish and a Community’s Grief
Eyewitness accounts paint a picture of sheer terror and helplessness during the moments the bus capsized. Ayesha had been seated with her mother, Lita Khatun, when the catastrophic event unfolded. Her father, Gias Uddin, and her younger brother, Abul Kashem Safin, had briefly disembarked at the ferry ghat just moments before the bus plunged into the river.
The scene that followed was one of unimaginable distress. Gias Uddin, Ayesha’s father, recounted the horrific experience with profound anguish. “I watched my daughter and wife struggling in the water,” he stated, his voice heavy with despair. “I could rescue my wife, but I couldn’t save Ayesha. I still can’t believe my eyes. In an instant, so many parents’ hearts were shattered.” His words encapsulate the widespread devastation felt by all those affected by the disaster.
The recovery of Ayesha’s body was the culmination of an extensive overnight operation. Rescue teams and authorities worked tirelessly through the night, braving challenging conditions to locate the submerged vehicle and its passengers. Her body was eventually handed over from Rajbari Sadar Hospital late Wednesday night, allowing the family to proceed with the funeral rites.
The burial in Shomospur was a profoundly silent and grief-stricken affair. The neighborhood, usually bustling with life, was enveloped in a palpable sense of sorrow. The community has been deeply affected by the loss of Ayesha Siddika, a young girl with a bright future, whose life was tragically cut short. Her passing has left an indelible mark of sorrow on her family and the wider local community, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating impact of such unforeseen accidents.
The Daulatdia ferry ghat, a vital crossing point, has unfortunately been the site of previous accidents, prompting renewed calls for enhanced safety measures and stricter regulations to prevent future tragedies. The loss of young lives like Ayesha Siddika’s serves as a tragic impetus for authorities to prioritize the safety of all who utilize these essential transportation routes. The memory of Ayesha, the young hafiza whose life was extinguished too soon, will undoubtedly remain a poignant symbol of the devastating consequences of such preventable accidents.
