Road crash in Munshiganj claims lives of nine people

UNB | Published: November 22, 2019 17:14:46 | Updated: November 22, 2019 21:55:08

Police blamed reckless driving for the fatal accident in Sreenagar upazila of Munshiganj district on Friday which has so far claimed nine lives.

The victims are – Abdur Rashid, 60, Liza, 22, her daughter Tabassum, 4, Ranu Akhter, 24, her son Tahsin, 3, Keramat Ali, 70, Mofizul, 60, Runa Akter, 22, and microbus driver Billal, 28.

The accident took place within a few weeks after the Road Transport Act came into effect which has a provision for maximum five years’ jail for any death or serious injuries caused by reckless or negligent driving.

Asaduzzaman, additional police superintendent of Sreenagar circle, said a Mawa-bound passenger bus of Swadhin Paribahan collided with the Dhaka-bound microbus at Shologhor around 2pm.

Eight microbus passengers were killed on the spot. Runa Akter succumbed to her injuries at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Asaduzzaman said.

“The driver of Swadhin Paribahan recklessly overtook another vehicle and rammed into the microbus carrying a bridal party to Kamrangirchar in Keraniganj from Konkoshar in Louhajang upazila,” said Hedayetul Islam Bhuiyan, officer-in-charge of Sreenagar Police Station.

Police are looking for the bus driver and his assistant.

Locals joined the rescue bid with police and three units of firefighters after the accident, which forced suspension of vehicular movement on the highway for about 30 minutes.

A five-member investigation committee, led by Additional District Magistrate Asma Shahin, has been formed to look into the accident, Deputy Commissioner Md Moniruzzaman Talukder said.

He announced financial assistance of Tk 10,000 for each of the victims.

Thousands of people are killed every year in Bangladesh in road accidents, many caused by reckless driving.

Last year, 7,221 people were killed in at least 5,514 road accidents across the country, according to Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity. As many as 15,466 others were injured in the accidents.