What IUT says over deaths of three students in picnic bus electrocution

The Islamic University of Technology, or IUT, has formed a five-member investigation committee following the deaths of three students in a picnic bus electrocution in Gazipur’s Sreepur Upazila.

The incident occurred when a BRTC double-decker bus carrying IUT students came into contact with a high-voltage power line near a local Chinese factory in Telihati union’s Udaykhali village on Saturday.

The bus was en route to the ‘Matir Maya Eco Resort’ in Uttar Pelaid village carrying the students.

The dead were identified as Mozammel Hossain Nayeem, 24, Mostakim Rahman Mahin, 22, and Zubayer Rahman Saqib, 22, all third-year mechanical engineering students of IUT located in Gazipur’s Board Bazar area.

Mahin died at the scene, while Mozammel and Saqib were declared dead at the Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

The injured six students are receiving treatment at the same hospital, though their identities have not yet been confirmed.

All the victims were third-year mechanical engineering students of IUT.

Immediately after the incident, Gazipur’s Additional District Magistrate Salma Akter, Sreepur Upazila Executive Officer, or UNO, Sajib Ahmed, and other officials visited the scene.

The district administration has formed an investigation committee, which was followed by the university authorities forming their own.

IUT’s Pro-Vice Chancellor Rakibul Islam spoke to journalists outside the resort.

He said, “For years, we have been organising various picnics with double-decker buses but accidents happen unexpectedly. Unfortunately, this incident occurred. Rather than assigning blame, we must focus on how to overcome this, how to treat the injured students, and how to ensure the safe return of those who are unharmed.”

The pro-VC added, “We will be able to say if this was an accident after the investigation.”

Journalists complained that students had misbehaved when they went to the scene to gather news immediately after the accident.

Rakibul expressed his regret to journalists on behalf of the university authorities to this end.

He said, “A decision on the case will be taken after discussing with the university authorities and speaking to the family members of the dead.”

A five-strong committee has been formed to investigate the incident, headed by Rakibul. The committee will also include the university dean, registrar, and two other members.

Locals said 460 IUT students, travelling in six double-decker buses and three microbuses, had arrived at the resort from the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway via rural roads. Tragedy struck when one of the buses, upon reaching Udaykhali village, came into contact with a high-voltage line running along the road.