Terrible toll plaza collision claims 5 in Munshiganj
Staff Reporter :
Two separate road accidents on Friday morning in Munshiganj and Pabna districts tragically claimed the lives of eight people and left 15 others injured, underscoring significant negligence and irresponsibility in driving practices.
The first accident occurred around 11am at the Dhaleshwari Toll Plaza on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway. A Bepari Paribahan bus, operating on the Dhaka-Kuakata route, crashed into three stationary vehicles – a motorcycle, a microbus, and a private car-waiting to pay the toll.
Five people, including Amena Akter (45), her daughters Israt Jahan (26) and Riha Moni (11), Ayaz Hossain (2), and Abdullah (7), died instantly. Ten others sustained injuries, with three survivors receiving treatment at Midford Hospital.
Station Officer Dewan Azad of the Shrinagar Fire Service reported that the collision caused severe damage to the vehicles.
“One victim died on the spot, trapped inside the private car, while others succumbed to their injuries en route to Dhaka,” he stated.
The incident temporarily disrupted traffic for about 30 minutes, according to Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Kader Jilani of the Hasara Highway Police Station.
Emergency services, with the assistance of toll plaza staff and patrolling army personnel, transported the injured to nearby hospitals.
In another incident, three agricultural workers lost their lives, and five others were injured in Sathia, Pabna, when a truck collided with a parked Karimon vehicle at around 5am.
The workers were on their way to plant onions when their vehicle broke down on Madhpur Road. The deceased were identified as Khokon Islam (27), Dhanai Pramanik (50), and Rasel Ahmed (27).
The truck, operating in heavy fog, struck the stationary Karimon, killing the workers instantly. Several injured were taken to Pabna General Hospital and local clinics.
OC (Investigation) Abdul Latif of Sathia Police Station confirmed that the bodies were sent to the morgue at Pabna General Hospital. Although the truck driver fled the scene, the vehicle was seized, and legal action is underway.
Experts on road safety expressed concerns about the continued negligence in enforcing traffic laws and regulations.
Mozammel Haque, Secretary General of Jatri Kolyan Samity, remarked, “Despite changes in government, the widespread disregard for road safety persists.”
He cited several factors contributing to the rising number of accidents, including lax enforcement of laws and poor compliance with transport rules by those in the sector.
Haque also highlighted the increased risk of accidents during winter due to dense fog and inadequate visibility aids on vehicles. “Many vehicles operate without essential equipment like mirror lights and sidelights, making them difficult to spot in foggy conditions,” he said.
He also pointed out the lack of road markings on highways as a contributing factor and recommended that motorcyclists wear reflective vests to enhance visibility.
“The government must address these issues urgently to reduce the occurrence of road accidents,” Haque urged, offering condolences to the victims’ families.