A tragic bus accident occurred on July 22 in Chhatrakanda area of Jhalakathi Sadar, Bangladesh, when a bus veered off the road and plunged into a pond. The unfortunate incident claimed the lives of at least 17 people, including three children, while 25 others sustained injuries.
Tragic Bus Accident in Chhatrakanda: 17 Lives Lost, 25 Injured
Surviving passengers have attributed the accident to overloading, stating that the bus was carrying more passengers than its capacity allowed. According to reports from Bangladeshi newspaper, The Daily Star, Bashar Smriti’s bus, designed for 52 passengers, had over 60 individuals on board. The ill-fated journey commenced from Bhandariya in Pirojpur at approximately 9 am and ended tragically around 10 am when the bus fell into the roadside pond at Chhatrakanda along the Rishal-Khulna highway.
Overloading Blamed: Survivors Recall Horrifying Bus Plunge
A survivor shared their account of the horrifying incident, mentioning that the bus was overloaded, with some passengers even standing in the corridor. They witnessed the driver conversing with the supervisor, after which the bus suddenly plunged into the pond, trapping all passengers inside. The overloaded condition ultimately led to the bus sinking in the water. Fortunately, the survivor managed to escape from the bus.
Barishal Divisional Commissioner MD Shaukat Ali confirmed the devastating accident, stating that all 17 fatalities occurred at the scene, while the injured were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Alarming Road Safety: Bangladesh’s Disturbing Accident Statistics
This tragic incident sheds light on the alarming frequency of bus accidents in Bangladesh. According to a report by the Road Safety Foundation, the country witnessed a staggering 559 road accidents in June alone, resulting in 562 fatalities and 812 injuries. Such concerning statistics call for immediate attention and measures to improve road safety and curb bus accidents in Bangladesh.
