Sabrin, daughter of Sohel Khan, is just six-month-old and little does she know that she will not be brought up with the love of her mother which is considered as heaven to all children.

The joyous journey of a happy couple—Sohel Khan and Raiti-- ended on Saturday following the demise of Raiti in an accident as a microbus carrying wedding guests plunged into a river following the collapse of an iron bridge in Amtali upazila of Barguna district.

Sohel Khan, father of the baby Sabrin, who along with two others was sitting in an auto-rickshaw behind the microbus, is now worried over how he will bring up his six-month-old daughter Sabrin without the motherly care.

Sabrin who was on the lap of her mother Raiti, was found alive on the floating hyacinth. Sohel just saw his daughter over the pile of hyacinth and grabbed her.

The tragic accident occurred on Saturday on Haldia Bridge between Chaura and Haldia union of Amtali upazila.

Sohel Khan said his wife Raiti along with his daughter was there in the microbus. When the microbus started to sink in the river, she threw Sabrin over the hyacinth. “I was in the auto-rickshaw and this was also plunged into the river during the accident. I managed to swim ashore and found my daughter over the hyacinth and rescued her,” he said.

The microbus was heading towards the residence of the bridegroom at No 3 ward of Amtali municipality by a microbus and an autorickshaw.

The deceased were identified as Rubia, 45, Raiti, 22, Fatema, 55, Zakia, 35, Rokaiyat Islam, 4, Tahia Mehzabin Azad, 7, Tasfia, 14, Ridhi, 4, Rubi Begum, 35.

All but Rukaiyat and Zakia hailed from Shibchar upazila of Madaripur district. They were the maternal relatives of bride Humayra.

Mahbub Khan, uncle of Humayra, said the 20-feet iron bridge collapsed suddenly and the microbus and auto-rickshaw carrying the wedding guests plunged into the river around 1 pm.

 “I fail to remember what happened. When I regain my consciousness, I explore myself in the hospital,” he said.

Kazi Shakhawat Hossain, officer-in-charge of Amtali Police Station, said the bodies will be handed over after completing all legal processes.

Abdullah Al Mamun, Upazila Engineer of LGED, said the 85-meter bridge was constructed in the 2005-2006 fiscal year for passing light vehicles. A notice was hung on both sides of the bridge area alerting caution.

Despite that, heavy vehicles crossed the bridge resulting in the death of nine people.