Identities of 7 killed in bus-autorickshaw collision in Mymensingh identified

Police have identified the seven people killed in a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw in Mymensingh. Four of the deceased are from the same family. Among them are three men, three women and one child.

The accident occurred around 1:15pm on Friday on the Rahmatpur Bypass road in the Dapuniya Hargujir Par area of the city. All seven passengers of the auto-rickshaw were killed when it was mangled in the collision.

The four from the same family are Rashida Begum (70), her son Mofazzal Hossain (50), Mofazzal's daughter Marzina Akter (25) and Marzina's son Minan (5), all from Darihamidpur village in Jamalpur Sadar upazila. They were travelling from Jamalpur to Gazipur. Mofazzal Hossain worked as a mason in Gazipur.

The other three deceased are the auto-rickshaw driver, Md Sujan Ali (44), son of Azar Uddin of Bir Gobindapur village in Jamalpur Sadar upazila; Akram Ali (51) of Badechandi village in the same upazila; and his wife, Momota Begum (39).

Officer-in-Charge of Mymensingh Kotwali Model Police Station Mohammad Shibirul Islam confirmed the deaths of seven people. After the accident, the bodies of the deceased were sent to the morgue of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. Police said arrangements are being made to hand over the bodies to their families after identification.

Police said the bus left the scene after the accident. Later, the bus was detained and seized. However, the bus's driver and assistant could not be found. They left the bus and fled. Efforts are underway to arrest them.

Station Officer of Fire Service Mymensingh, Mohammad Julhas Uddin, said two units of the Fire Service reached the scene after receiving news of the accident. There, a bus of Rajib Paribahan heading to Jamalpur hit the Mymensingh bypass-bound CNG-powered auto-rickshaw head-on.

Later, police, Fire Service workers and local people rescued the deceased from inside the auto-rickshaw. The bodies were then sent to the morgue of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. The Fire Service official believes the accident may have occurred due to excessive speed.

Eyewitness Mamun Hossain said while going to offer Jumma prayers, he heard a loud noise and rushed to the scene. There he saw the accident-hit bus and auto-rickshaw. Local people pushed the bus aside and brought out the auto-rickshaw. Later, the deceased were rescued from inside the auto-rickshaw.

Locals alleged that accidents are increasing along with the growing pressure of vehicles on the road. They believe the road needs to be upgraded to four lanes and drivers and transport-related people need to be more cautious to reduce accidents.