Accident or murder!

Mumtaz Begum tragically died on Sunday after being trapped in a malfunctioning elevator at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital for 45 minutes. Begum, who was suffering from chest pain, was being transported from the 11th floor to the 4th floor for heart treatment when the elevator became stuck.

According to her daughter, Sharmin, calls to the three lift operators went unanswered and resulted in verbal abuse. Only after contacting emergency services were Begum and the other passengers rescued. Sadly, Begum did not survive the ordeal.

Hospital authorities have confirmed Begum's death and formed a six-member investigation committee, led by Dr. Rubina Yasmin, to investigate the incident. However, public trust in such committees is low, with concerns they may be used to obscure the truth.

This incident highlights broader safety issues in Bangladesh. On the same day, Jannatul Mawa Raisa, a young schoolgirl, was struck and killed by a sand truck on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway while crossing the road with her family. Her uncle was also seriously injured.

These tragedies raise questions about the prevalence of accidents caused by negligence and mismanagement. Many believe such incidents can no longer be considered random occurrences, but rather the result of a systemic failure to prioritize safety protocols and responsible practices.