Photo : BSS

KHULNA, March 13, 2026 (BSS) - Khulna University (KU) today observed a mourning day marking the tragic Katka incident with various programmes on the campus.

On this day in 2004, a total of 11 students -- nine from the Architecture Discipline of Khulna University and two from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) -- lost their lives after drowning in the sea while visiting Katka in the Sundarbans.

Since then, the university has been observing the day every year as a mourning day in memory of the deceased students.

Marking the occasion, KU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim placed a wreath at the Katka Memorial on the campus around 10 am. Teachers, students and officials joined the programme wearing black badges.

Among others present were Treasurer Professor Dr Md Nurun Nabi, Dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Technology Professor Dr Md Ashraful Alam, Head of the Architecture Discipline Professor Dr Rumana Asad, Head of the Mathematics Discipline Professor Dr Md Azmal Huda and Director of Student Affairs Professor Dr Md Nazmus Sadat.

Later, teachers and students of the Architecture Discipline also paid homage at the memorial.

Following Juma prayers, a special doa was held at the university's central Jame Mosque seeking eternal peace for the departed souls. The doa was attended by the vice-chancellor, teachers, students and officials and was conducted by the mosque's Senior Pesh Imam Mufti Abdul Quddus.

As part of the observance, iftar and dinner were arranged for orphans at Nijkhamar Emdadia Hafizia Madrasa and Madaninagar Madrasa after Maghrib prayers.