At least 19 people were killed and up to 25 were injured after a Dhaka-bound bus smashed through an expressway fence and plunged into a roadside ditch in Madaripur’s Shibchar upazila on Sunday morning.
"The death toll has risen to 19. At least 12 people were critically injured. They have been sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in the capital," Madaripur Superintendent of Police (SP) Masud Alam said.
Police said they suspected the driver of Emad Paribahan lost control at 8am and hit the railing of a recently built major expressway, sending the bus tumbling 30 feet into the ditch.
The eight of the deceased were identified as Mostak Ahmed, 40, Sweety Akhter, 25, Ismail Hossain, 55, Hemayet Hossain, 30, Farhad Shikder, 40, Sameer Sheikh, 20, Kadir Sheikh, 40 and Anathi Nath Mandal, 25.
Committee formed to probe
A 4-member committee has been formed to probe into Madaripur’s Kutubpur bus accident.
Madaripur district administration formed the committee led by an additional magistrate which has been asked to submit the report within three working days, Madaripur deputy commissioner Rahima Khaton told the media.
Other committee members include an additional superintendent of police and representatives of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and Accident Research Institute.
The local administration also announced financial assistance of Tk 25,000 each of the families of the deceased.
According to the Bangladeshi passengers' welfare association, a record 9,951 people were killed in road accidents in Bangladesh last year.
