Former Germany international and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil was reportedly unharmed after a vehicle in his convoy was involved in a road accident on Thursday evening in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. The incident occurred as Ozil and a Turkish delegation were returning from a visit to Rohingya refugee camps. While the footballer and other members of the delegation were confirmed safe, the driver of a battery-powered auto-rickshaw sustained injuries in the collision. FIFA World Cup 2026: Brazil, Egypt To Play WC Friendly Ahead of Marquee Event.

Details of the Collision

The accident took place around 6:45 PM on Thursday, February 19, on the Cox's Bazar–Teknaf highway in the Kutupalong area of Ukhiya. According to the Bangladesh police, a battery-powered auto-rickshaw collided with one of the vehicles in the VIP motorcade, reportedly breaching security protocol. The vehicle directly involved in the collision was identified as a police escort vehicle accompanying Ozil and Necmettin Bilal Erdogan, son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The auto-rickshaw was severely damaged, and its driver received primary medical treatment locally for their injuries. Authorities have since seized the damaged vehicle and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Humanitarian Outreach in Bangladesh

Mesut Ozil was in Bangladesh as part of an 11-member Turkish delegation, led by Bilal Erdogan, on a humanitarian and goodwill tour. The former World Cup winner arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday, February 18, and later travelled to Cox's Bazar. During his visit, Ozil engaged in various activities at the Rohingya camps, including inspecting medical facilities and education centres supported by Turkish organisations. A highlight of his tour saw him play football with Rohingya youths at Camp 4 and later attend an iftar gathering with families, marking the first day of Ramadan. His presence aimed to inspire the Rohingya youth and draw international attention to the plight of the refugees. Scotland Announces Extra Bank Holiday To Mark Nation's FIFA World Cup Return.

Investigation Underway

Cox's Bazar District Police spokesperson and additional Superintendent of Police (DSB) Alok Biswas confirmed that all members of the Turkish delegation, including Mesut Ozil, were in good health and had departed Cox's Bazar safely following the incident. The ongoing investigation seeks to determine how the auto-rickshaw managed to enter the heavily cordoned-off VIP area. While the accident caused a momentary scare, it did not deter the overall mission of the delegation, which focused on fostering goodwill and supporting humanitarian efforts in the region.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2026 10:24 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).