Brief
Bangladeshi mother and son killed in Abu Dhabi car crash, husband injured
The crash occurred around 9 pm on Al Ain Road; community members plan low‑key prayers ahead of Durga Puja.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Gulf News reported that a Bangladeshi family in Abu Dhabi was involved in a fatal car crash on Monday night.
What happened
The accident occurred at about 9 pm near Al Wathba Bridge on Al Ain Road when a speeding vehicle struck the family’s car from behind. Ashima Chowdhury, 48, and her 15‑year‑old son Aritra Biswas were killed. The husband, Sree Swarup Kanti Biswas, 59, who was driving, survived with injuries.
What the reports add
The Bangladeshi Embassy in Abu Dhabi confirmed the identities of the victims to Gulf News on Wednesday. Police are investigating the crash. The family has chosen to hold the last rites at a crematorium in Al Ain, and a community friend and journalist, Sanjit Kumar Shil, is assisting the surviving husband with funeral arrangements and paperwork for the couple’s daughter, Anushua Biswas, a fourth‑year psychology student in Dubai.
What was said
Shil, who has known the family since 2001, told Gulf News, "Ashima was like a sister to me, and Aritra was like my son." He added that the grief is compounded by the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations, saying, "We are not in a situation to celebrate anything now. We will only be praying at homes. There won't be big gatherings or celebrations." The school attended by Aritra, Future Leaders International Private School Branch 2, posted a tribute on social media, expressing condolences and noting that the student and his mother will be "forever held in our hearts."
How it came about
The victims had been part of Abu Dhabi’s close‑knit Bangladeshi community, regularly attending cultural gatherings. Their deaths come just before the major Durga Puja festival, which the community had been preparing for. Earlier Felo News coverage highlighted Abu Dhabi’s efforts to create family‑friendly neighbourhoods, underscoring the impact such tragedies have on expatriate families living in the city.
Key facts
- Ashima Chowdhury, 48, and her son Aritra Biswas, 15, died in a car crash near Al Wathba Bridge. (gulfnews.com)
- Husband Sree Swarup Kanti Biswas, 59, survived with injuries. (gulfnews.com)
- The crash occurred at about 9 pm on Al Ain Road when a speeding car hit their vehicle from behind. (gulfnews.com)
- The Bangladeshi Embassy in Abu Dhabi confirmed the victims' identities. (gulfnews.com)
- Community members plan low‑key prayers instead of Durga Puja celebrations. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Abu Dhabi Tragedy: Bangladeshi Expat Community Mourns Family Loss Ahead of Durga Puja”
