A pedestrian was killed after a bearing pad (spring) fell from a pillar near the Farmgate Metro Station in the capital on Sunday noon, prompting authorities to suspend metro rail operations temporarily.

The incident occurred around 12:15 pm in front of the Bangladesh Agricultural Institute adjacent to the Farmgate Metro Station, said Tejgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mobarak Hossain.

Sub-Inspector (SI) Nazrul Islam of the station said they have informed metro authorities about the falling of the bearing pad. “Metro services have been halted for now, and legal procedures are underway after recovering the body,” he added.

The deceased was identified as Abul Kalam Azad, a resident of Kishorkathi village in Naria upazila of Shariatpur district.

Eyewitnesses said a heavy metal object suddenly fell from above while the man was walking past the area, hitting him on the head. He suffered severe injuries and heavy bleeding on the spot. Locals rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

According to Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) sources, metro services between Uttara and Motijheel have been suspended since 12:30 pm following the accident. The resumption time has yet to be confirmed.

A similar incident occurred on September 18 last year when a bearing pad came loose, halting metro services for about 11 hours but causing no casualties.

Bearing pads are specialized rubber components installed at the joints between piers and viaducts to absorb vibration and support structural movement.