Homecoming turns tragic: Oman returnee loses 7 family members in Noakhali crash as microbus falls into ditch 

An expatriate who had just returned from Oman lost seven members of his family, including three children, when a microbus plunged into a roadside canal. 

The incident occurred early today (6 August) on the Lakshmipur-Chowmuhani road, near the village of Purbo Jagadishpur in Alaiyapur Union under Begumganj Upazila of Noakhali district, close to the border of Lakshmipur.

The deceased have been identified as Bahar's mother Murshida, 50, wife Kabita, 25, daughter Mim, 2, niece Reshmi, 9, another young girl Lamia Akhter, 8, younger brother's wife Laboni, 25, and grandmother Foyzun Nesa, 70. The victims were residents of Paschim Choupalli village in Uttar Joypur Union under Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila.

The family was returning to their house in Lakshmipur from Dhaka after receiving the expatriate, Bahar, from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. 

While passing through Feni, their microbus veered off the road and crashed into a canal. The house of the expatriate was just a short distance from the crash site.

Seven people inside the microbus died in the accident. However, five people, including Bahar, his father-in-law Iskandar Mirza, and the driver, managed to get out of the submerged vehicle.

Chandraganj Highway Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mobarak Hossain Bhuiyan confirmed the incident. He stated that the microbus has been recovered. 

"According to preliminary findings, the vehicle lost control and fell into the canal while returning from the airport. Further legal action will be taken based on the complaints filed by the victims' families," he said.

Iskandar Mirza, the expatriate's father-in-law who survived the crash, said the driver appeared drowsy while driving and was repeatedly asked to pull over and rest. 

"We requested him to stop at a nearby market and sleep if necessary. He did stop briefly, but soon resumed driving, still visibly sleepy. Despite repeated warnings, he ignored us," Mirza said.

Shortly afterward, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to plunge into the canal. "The driver, and my son-in-law Bahar and I managed to get out, but it was pitch dark, and our cries for help went unheard. We stayed in the water for two hours until someone finally informed the fire service around dawn. They arrived at 6am and recovered the seven bodies."

Paschim Choupalli village was steeped in grief, with hundreds gathered at the expatriate's home to mourn the tragic loss.