Fleeing after ‘setting bus on fire’, man dies falling into Turag River

Locals apprehend a suspect while another dies attempting to escape the blaze

A man has died after falling into the Turag River while fleeing after “setting a bus ablaze” on the Mirpur embankment, police say.

Locals caught another suspect, later handed over to police.

The incident occurred after 10pm on Thursday, in front of Tamanna Park, when a Kiranmala Transport bus parked by the roadside was set on fire.

The dead was identified as Abdullah Al Saiyaf, 18. His body has been kept at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital for postmortem examination.

Sub-inspector Anwar Hossain of Shah Ali Police said, “While trying to escape after setting the bus on fire, one person fell into the Turag River and was later recovered dead.

“Another suspect, Rudra Muhammad Nahian Amir Sani, 20, was caught by locals and taken into police custody.”

Witness Md Shakil said, “As the bus caught fire, locals chased two suspects. One was caught on the spot, the other jumped into the river and was later recovered lifeless.”

Inspector (Investigation) Matiur Rahman later said several youths set fire to a parked bus and were filming it on their phones when locals noticed and chased them.

Authorities have not yet confirmed if the detained or dead youths had any political affiliation.