Death toll rises to 7 in Madaripur bus-autorickshaw crash

Bangla Press Desk:  The death toll from a bus-autorickshaw crash in Madaripur rose to seven on Sunday evening, while at least 10 others were injured, as rescue operations continued at the accident site on the Dhaka–Barishal highway.

The accident occurred around 5:30pm at the Mustafapur Mill Gate area when a Dhaka-bound passenger bus of Sarbik Paribahan ran over an easybike, leaving it mangled and throwing the bus into a roadside ditch.

Three people died on the spot, while four more were later recovered dead during the rescue operation, which lasted for nearly four hours.

Traffic movement on the Dhaka–Barishal highway remained suspended during the rescue efforts, causing a traffic jam stretching nearly 10 kilometres on both sides of the road. Passengers and drivers travelling long distances faced severe inconvenience.

Police said three of the deceased have been identified so far. They are Ruman, son of Shah Alam of Ghatakchar area under Kendua Union in Madaripur Sadar; Pannu Munshi, 50, son of Nesar Uddin Munshi of Shukni College Road area under Madaripur municipality; and easybike driver Sagar Bepari, son of Jasim Bepari of Kuniya Dakshinpara area.

The injured were taken to Madaripur 250-bed district hospital for treatment.

Sub-Inspector Razzak, on duty at the Madaripur Sadar Hospital police outpost, confirmed that seven bodies were at the hospital and that efforts were underway to identify the remaining victims.

Police, Fire Service and Army personnel were continuing operations to restore normal traffic movement on the highway.

BP/TD