The process to bring the bodies of seven Bangladeshi expatriates killed in a severe road accident in Oman’s Duqm area has begun. This has been confirmed to TIMES of Bangladesh by Mongchingnu Marma, the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Sandwip, Chattogram.
The UNO said, “The Department of Expatriates’ Welfare has already started the formal process through the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. The necessary documents are being prepared after verifying the national identity cards and passports of the deceased. Once these are sent to Oman, the formalities for repatriating the bodies will be completed through the embassy.”
Marma further said, “We met with the families of the deceased today. They have been provided with initial assistance from the upazila administration. Officially, efforts are underway to bring the bodies back to the country as soon as possible.”
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sandwip Police Station AKM Shafiqul Alam Chowdhury, said, “We have spoken with each family today. The police station will provide full cooperation, including in the matter of repatriating the bodies and in legal assistance. Furthermore, local public representatives have also been requested to stand by the families.”
The accident occurred on Wednesday at 3:20pm local time (5:20pm Bangladesh time) in the Duqm Sidra area of Oman. Seven Bangladeshi expatriates from Sandwip upazila were killed in the incident. After the accident, their bodies were kept in the morgue of Duqm Hospital.
Expatriate eyewitnesses Shipon and Sajeeb Chowdhury reported that the victims (fishermen by profession) were returning after work when they lost control of the vehicle and overturned on the roadside. All passengers died in the accident.
The deceased were all residents of Sandwip upazila, Chattogram. Mohammad Amin Sawdagar, Arju, Mohammad Bablu, Sahab Uddin, and Mohammad Rocky are residents of Sarikait Union. Additionally, Jewel from Maitbhanga Union and Mohammad Roni from Ward No 3 of Sandwip Municipality are among the deceased.
Sandwip in mourning
Since the news of the accident reached the country, a shadow of grief has descended over Sandwip. The homes of the deceased are filled with the cries and wails of their relatives. Some cannot believe that the people they used to talk to on the phone every day are no more.
Jewel’s father, Jamal Uddin, said, “My son went to Oman just two years ago. I sent him there by taking loans with great difficulty to bring prosperity to the family. Now, only his body will return – I cannot even bear the thought.”
Sahab Uddin’s cousin, Arian Ahmed Javed, said, “Sahab always said he would save some money, return to the country, and start a business. But that dream remains unfulfilled. We request the government to bring the bodies back to the country quickly.”
