21 University Students Lost to Suicide, Murder, Tragedy in 10 Weeks

In a span of just over two months, from late April to July 2025, at least 21 students from various higher education institutions in Bangladesh, including Dhaka University, have tragically lost their lives to suicides, murders, and accidents, raising serious concerns about student safety and mental health.

A recent incident at Cox’s Bazar’s Himchhari beach saw three Chattogram University students from the Development Studies Department—KM Sadman Rahman, Asif Ahmed, and Aritra Hasan—swept away by strong sea currents on 8 July. The bodies of Sadman and Asif were recovered, but Aritra remains missing despite ongoing search efforts involving the Bangladesh Air Force using drones along the Cox’s Bazar coast as of 12 July.

Among the 21 deaths, five were due to suicide, three resulted from physical ailments, and 13 were caused by accidents or murders. Notable cases include the murder of Dhaka University student and Chhatra Dal leader Shahriar Alam Sami, stabbed by miscreants near Suhrawardy Udyan’s open stage on 14 May. Another high-profile incident involved the killing of Parvez, a textile student at PrimeAsia University, stabbed on campus in Banani on 19 April.

Accidents Claim 10 Lives

Ten students died in accidents, including the drowning of Chattogram University’s Sadman and Asif at Himchhari beach. On 11 June, BRAC University student Shahriar Nihal drowned while swimming in a river. On 6 May, Shantanu Karmakar of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology died while bathing in a pond. Lightning strikes claimed the lives of Rakibul Hasan Khan Rafi of the International University of Business Agriculture and Technology on 1 May and Md. Jihad of Gono Bishwabidyalay on 28 May. A motorcycle explosion on 1 June led to the death of Begum Rokeya University’s Sagar Sheikh, a public administration student. Road accidents claimed Dhaka International University’s Tamanna Akter on 13 June and Islamic University’s Rashedul Islam on 16 June.

Suicides Highlight Mental Health Crisis

Five students took their own lives, underscoring a growing mental health crisis. On 11 July, Mohammad Tarek Wadud Nahid, a third-year textile student at Daffodil International University, was found hanging in his rented apartment in Mirpur-1, two days after divorcing his wife. On 10 July, Begum Rokeya University student Jannatul Ferdausi Tumpa was found hanging, as was BRAC University’s computer science student Asaduzzaman Dhrubo on 1 July in Merul Badda. Dhaka University’s fine arts student Shakil Ahmed (24) and East West University’s Shihabul Islam (24) also died by suicide on 11 June and 6 May, respectively.

Deaths Due to Illness

Three students succumbed to health complications. On 9 July, Chattogram University’s zoology student Sanjida Akter died of tuberculosis. On 8 July, Dhaka University’s Islamic Studies student Ahsan Khan passed away due to a brain haemorrhage. On 22 June, Jahangirnagar University’s Jobayer Hosain died of haemophilia.

Murders Stir Public Outrage

Three students were victims of murder. Alongside Shahriar Alam Sami’s killing, PrimeAsia University’s Parvez was fatally stabbed on campus. On 19 May, Dhaka International University’s electrical and electronic engineering student Mahmudul Hasan (24) was found dead near a metro rail pillar in Uttara’s Diabari after being missing for four days. Authorities could not confirm whether his death was an accident, murder, or otherwise.

Professor Dr. Noor Mohammad of Jagannath University’s Psychology Department told The Daily Campus, “There is an urgent need for effective measures to protect students’ mental health. Many students do not share their frustrations, leading to isolation and despair. Departmental student advisers must be more proactive, and institutions should enhance counselling services, foster empathetic environments, and raise mental health awareness to reduce such incidents.”

The spate of deaths has sparked calls for universities to prioritise student safety and mental well-being, ensuring a supportive environment to prevent further tragedies.