Convoy of ex-footballer Ozil, Bilal Erdogan involved in Cox’s Bazar road crash; duo unharmed
The incident took place around 6:45pm in the Kutupalong area of Ukhiya upazila on the Shaheed ATM Jafar Alam Arakan road (Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf highway)
A road accident occurred tonight (19 February) involving the convoy of former German World Cup-winning football star Mesut Ozil and Necmeddin Bilal Erdogan, son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while they were returning to Cox's Bazar after visiting the Rohingya camps. However, the vehicle carrying the two dignitaries remained unharmed.
The incident took place around 6:45pm on Thursday (19 February) in the Kutupalong area of Ukhiya upazila on the Shaheed ATM Jafar Alam Arakan road, along the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf highway.
Confirming the matter, Saiful Islam, inspector of Shahparir Dwip Highway Police Station, said Ozil and Bilal Erdogan had visited the Rohingya camp earlier in the day and attended an iftar event there.
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After the visit, their convoy reached the Kutupalong area when a battery-run easy-bike suddenly entered the main road from a sub-road and collided with a police vehicle assigned to provide security to the convoy.
The impact left the easy-bike mangled, and its driver was seriously injured. The police vehicle carrying members of the security detail also sustained minor damage.
However, the vehicle carrying Bilal and Ozil was positioned at the front of the convoy and remained out of harm's way.
The damaged easy-bike has been seized and locals rescued the injured driver and admitted him to a nearby hospital adjacent to the Rohingya camp.
The inspector said, "Authorities are investigating whether the incident was an act of sabotage or merely an accident. Necessary legal action will be taken based on the findings."
