Natore bus-truck collision: 10 bodies identified; Probe body formed

Ten of the 14 people killed in a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a sand-laden truck in Baraigram, Natore, have been identified. A seven-member probe committee has been formed to look into the cause. At least 30 others were injured. The dead include the drivers of both the bus and the truck.

The accident occurred around 4:00 am on Tuesday (October 20) in the Sarkarpara area of Baraigram upazila on the Bonpara-Pabna highway. The RP Paribahan bus was carrying passengers from Barguna towards Chapainawabganj, while a sand-laden truck was heading from Panchagarh towards Jhenaidah. The two vehicles collided head-on along the way.

Shamim Hossain, a sub-inspector (SI) at Bonpara Police Investigation Centre, said the speeding bus is initially believed to have collided with the truck while overtaking another vehicle. However, he said the actual cause cannot be confirmed until the investigation is complete.

Among the identified victims are Sohel Rana (40), son of Abdul Hakim of Faridpur village in Godagari upazila, Rajshahi; Anwar Haque (30), son of Babar Ali of Chaypara village in Bagmara upazila; Tasfia (8), daughter of Shahidul Islam of Subid Ali village in Mirzaganj upazila, Patuakhali; and Shahidul Islam (45), son of Azahar Howlader of East Subidkhali village.

The others identified are truck driver Kalam (35) of Baranagar village in Jhenaidah; Juel (40), son of Johar Uddin of Ramkrishnapur village in Zajira upazila, Shariatpur; Salal Molla (45), son of Jahan Uddin Molla of Dubi Sahabur village; Sohag (30), son of Yunus of the same village; Abdus Samad (70), son of Arab Ali Fakir; and Shahin (35), son of Razzak of Kajirhat village.

Several people died at the scene, and several more died after being taken to hospital. The dead include women and children. Natore Superintendent of Police Shariful Islam said one of them is an army officer. The injured were rescued and sent to Natore Sadar Hospital, various hospitals in Baraigram and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Efforts are continuing to identify the remaining victims.

Abdus Salam, a passenger who was on the bus at the time, said it was carrying more passengers than its capacity. With all seats taken, many had to stand, and the crowding left no room to move inside the bus. He claimed the bus was speeding and that the driver braked hard from time to time, throwing passengers from their seats.

After the accident, the site was visited by Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, parliament member for Natore Sadar and a whip of the Jatiya Sangsad, MP Abdul Aziz, Deputy Commissioner Sumoni Akter and the superintendent of police. The seven-member probe committee will investigate the cause.

Expressing condolences to the families of the dead, whip Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu said financial assistance will be provided to the affected families on behalf of the Prime Minister. He also said steps will be taken to widen the Bonpara-Pabna highway to reduce accidents.