Dense fog triggers 3 crashes on Dhaka–Mawa Expressway, 20 injured

Dense fog on the Dhaka–Mawa Expressway early Friday triggered three separate crashes involving seven vehicles, leaving at least 20 people injured near Srinagar and Louhajang.

Among the injured, the condition of three people—including a covered van driver and a bus driver—was reported critical, according to the fire service.

The accidents took place between 1:00am Thursday and 5:30am Friday, at Chonbari Bridge in Srinagar and Medenimandal in Louhajang. In the latest crash, a covered van collided with a truck in Srinagar.

Fire service officials said a high-speed passenger bus lost control at Chonbari Bridge and hit a truck in front, followed by a rear-end collision from another truck. Sixteen people, including the bus driver, were injured. The victims received initial treatment at Srinagar Health Complex, while seriously injured passengers were transferred to Dhaka and Faridpur Medical College Hospitals.

In Louhajang, a covered van collided with a truck in dense fog, seriously injuring two people, who were later moved to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The critically injured include Ripon Mia, 55, a truck driver, and Manik Mia, 44, a bus supervisor.

Srinagar Fire Service Station Officer Dewan Azad Hossain said the expressway was shrouded in dense fog after 10:00pm Thursday, reducing visibility and contributing to the crashes. Highway Police are investigating and taking legal action against the vehicles involved.