11 killed in Narsingdi as bus-human haulier collide head-on

At least 11 people have been killed after a head-on collision between a Dhaka-bound bus and a human haulier on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway in Narsingdi’s Belabo upazila.

Eight of them had died on the spot when the incident took place in the upazila’s Jongua-Noakandi area around 8:30pm on Monday, confirmed Belabo police station OC Javed Mahmud.

All of them were passengers of the human haulier, which had crumbled from the impact.

The bus, after bouncing off the small vehicle, had also lost control and crashed into a roadside tree.

He said at least seven others were also injured in the crash between the Dhaka Boss Paribahan bus and the human haulier.

One of the injured was declared dead by duty doctors upon arrival at Narsingdi District Hospital.

Two other wounded were also declared dead by duty doctors upon arrival at Bhairab Upazila Health Complex.

The other injured victims were being treated at different hospitals, said OC Javed.

Doctors at the Narsingdi hospital said three of the injured were admitted there in critical condition, while two others were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment. 

Belabo police and Bhairab highway police so far have identified five of the deceased – Abul Hossain, 55, Abdul Mia, 24, Mobarak Hossain, 28, Sujon, 30, and the human haulier’s driver Oliur Rahman.

Sujon’s 24-year-old wife was also among the deceased, but her name was yet to be known.

Bhairab highway police OC Toriqul Islam said the process to identify the other victims was underway, while they were preparing to start a case over the incident.

Belabo Upzaila Nirbahi Officer Umme Habiba said the district administration has already decided to provide the families of each deceased with Tk20,000 as aid.

A committee would also be formed to investigate the matter, she added.

Narsingdi’s Superintendent of Police Saifullah Al Mamun said most of the victims were workers and returning home to spend the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.

Based on their preliminary findings, he said, it appeared that the accident took place because of reckless driving.