ছবি: Photo: Collected
A passenger bus from the Alif Paribahan fleet overturned and plunged into a canal, locally known as the Narai River, in Dhaka’s Banasree area on Saturday evening, leaving three people injured. Authorities fear the number of casualties may rise as rescue operations continue.
The incident occurred near the Meradia Bazaar area around 5:42 PM, according to Rozina Akter, the duty officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence control room. She stated that the bus fell into the canal after losing control, prompting local police to alert the fire service for assistance. Two fire service units were dispatched to the site to carry out the rescue operation.
Khilgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Daulat Khan confirmed the incident, stating that the Alif Paribahan bus overturned and fell into the canal around 6:00 PM. Three injured passengers were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. He added that no fatalities had been reported as of now, but efforts to locate any potential victims were ongoing.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as onlookers gathered near the accident site. Rescue workers, aided by locals, worked tirelessly to remove passengers and ensure their safety. The bus was partially submerged, complicating rescue efforts. Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the accident but suspect reckless driving or a mechanical failure may have played a role.
Emergency services continue their operation to retrieve the bus from the canal and to ensure no passengers remain trapped. OC Daulat Khan mentioned that the priority is to secure the safety of all individuals involved and to investigate the circumstances leading to the accident.
Incidents of buses losing control and causing accidents have been a recurring concern in Dhaka, where traffic congestion and unregulated driving conditions are prevalent. The Alif Paribahan bus accident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for improved road safety measures in the capital.
The injured passengers, whose identities have not been disclosed, are receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital. Their conditions remain stable, according to hospital authorities. However, the psychological impact on the passengers and their families has been significant, with many expressing concerns over the state of public transportation safety in the city.
Local residents in the Meradia Bazaar area have urged authorities to take immediate steps to enhance road safety and implement stricter regulations for public transportation operators. Many cited previous incidents involving similar accidents as evidence of a lack of enforcement and accountability.
As the evening progressed, authorities managed to stabilize the situation at the accident site. Rescue workers confirmed that no additional passengers were found in the submerged bus as of late Saturday night. The vehicle is expected to be removed from the canal once the rescue operations conclude.
Officials from the Fire Service, Civil Defence, and local law enforcement are expected to conduct a joint investigation to determine the cause of the accident and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, traffic in the surrounding areas remained disrupted, causing inconvenience to commuters.
The government has reiterated its commitment to improving road safety standards in response to rising public concern over frequent accidents involving public transportation. However, tangible improvements remain to be seen.
For now, residents and passengers alike hope that the lessons from this accident will prompt more rigorous oversight and reforms in the transportation sector, ensuring that tragedies like this can be avoided in the future.
repoter
