Mirsarai residents still haunted by road accident that killed 44 children

Six years have passed since one of the worst road accidents in Bangladesh claimed the lives of 44 school students in Mirsarai, Chittagong, but it still haunts the residents of the upazila. The accident took place on July 11, 2011, when a pick-up truck carrying 44 students of Abu Torab High School and Abu Torab Fazil Madrasa veered off the road and plunged into a ditch in Mirsarai upazila, killing all of the children. The students were returning home from a football match. The driver of the truck, Mafizur Rahman, was arrested in Barisal on July 21, 2011. Investigators found that Mafiz did not possess a valid driver’s licence at the time of the accident and was speaking on his mobile phone while driving. A court sentenced Mafiz to five years in jail and a fine of Tk20,000 on December 8, 2011. Every year, the day of July 11 brings back tragic memories that can never be erased from the minds of the parents and teachers of the victims, who still believe Mafiz got off lightly considering the crime he committed. Abu Torab High School suffered immensely, losing 34 students in the accident. “I cannot hold back the tears when I remember the faces of my students, even though it has been years. On July 11 every year, we are reminded of the nightmare and the whole school is shrouded in grief,” said Zafar Sadek, headteacher of the school. “We remember our beloved students with a heavy heart. It is impossible to forget the lives lost in the tragic accident,” he added. Two separate prayer sessions were held at the school on Tuesday, and another was held at the temple adjacent to the school for Hindu students who lost their lives. A rally took place on the school grounds where the attendees sported black badges in memory of the deceased. Floral wreaths were placed at the two memorials built in honour of the victims.