Bus overturns after being hit by another in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar, one killed

A passenger bus has overturned while racing another on a traffic-free street in the heart of capital Dhaka, killing a man and injuring several others.

The incident happened at Karwan Bazar at around 6:30pm on Wednesday, a public holiday after the night of Shab-e-Barat.

Tejgaon Police Station Sub-Inspector Sujit Kumar Saha confirmed the casualties but could not name the deceased.

Among the injured, Parul Akter, 30, her son ‘Ashfaq’, 3, Abdul Awal Bapari, 50, and Mohammad Ibrahim, 26, have been hospitalised.

SI Saha said no arrests had been made over the incident.

Photos taken by bdnews24.com’s Senior Photographer Mustafiz Mamun show the Jatrabarhi-Gabtoli route bus resting on its side.

“Two buses of Nagar Paribahan were racing each other from Karwan Bazar to Farmgate finding the roads empty. One of the buses went forward and the other tailgated it on the right.

“The bus in front lost control, hit the road divider and overturned,” the police officer said.

A man, aged between 22 and 25, was killed on the spot.

The accident triggered traffic gridlock on the street.

Traffic resumed after police towed away the overturned bus.

The victim’s body was sent to the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Sub-Inspector Shamim Ahmed said.

Fire Service’s Tejagon Station Senior Officer Tanharul Islam said one injured in the accident was also sent to the DMCH.

Locals and passersby helped those trapped inside the bus to get out.

Quoting witnesses, bdnews24.com’s Mamun said the deceased was a helper of the driver of one of the buses.

Police could not confirm the matter.

“Two buses were there. Locals were trying to clear the broken glasses. The buses were empty. No injured was seen,” Mamun said.