19 dead as Emad Paribahan bus crashes into a ditch in Madaripur

At least 30 others have been injured in the accident

At least 19 people have died and 30 others have been injured after a bus crashed into a ditch in Madaripur’s Shibchar, according to the local authorities.

The Dhaka-bound bus operated by Emad Paribahan veered out of control on the Bangabandhu Expressway at 7:45 am in Shibchar’s Kutubpur area, Madaripur Police Superintendent Md Masud Alam said.

The bodies of 14 people have been recovered from the spot, according to Madaripur Deputy Commissioner Dr Rahima Khatun. She said that three others died on the way to Shibchar Upazila Health Complex and Dhaka Medical College Hospital, while the injured were rushed there for treatment.

The on-duty doctor at the DMCH declared two more dead and seven others are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.

The bus from Khulna took passengers aboard in Gopalganj. Many of the victims of the accident are Gopalganj residents.

“It is believed that the bus went out of control after one of its tyres was punctured. The front to mid portions of the bus sustained severe damage after the vehicle fell into the ditch,” said Shiplu Ahmed, deputy assistant director of the Fire Service and Civil Defence in Faridpur.

SP Md Masud Alam said that it is the gravest accident on the expressway since the launch of the Padma Bridge. “The bus accident is believed to have been caused by technical issues and speeding."

A committee was formed to investigate the incident and submit a report within two days, Deputy Commissioner Rahima Khatun said.

The families of the dead victims will get Tk 25,000 each from the government to meet burial and other costs and the injured will receive Tk 5,000 each, the DC added.