Dhaka, 07 August (H.S.): Bangladesh’s roads have long remained a major cause of fatalities. On Friday morning, a bus turned into a death trap for seven workers standing by the roadside in Bogura, while another accident in Sylhet involving two buses claimed at least eight lives. Following the deaths of the workers in Bogura, angry locals took to the streets and blocked the highway. In July alone, 416 people were killed in road accidents across the country.

According to a report by Dhaka Tribune, at around 5:30 am on Friday, a private bus hit workers who were waiting by the roadside in search of employment in the Erulia area of Silkybandha in Bogura Sadar. At least seven workers were killed and 15 others injured in the accident, which was confirmed by Bogura Additional Superintendent of Police (Media) Ataur Rahman.

According to police and eyewitnesses, a bus operated by Shah Fateh Ali Transport, travelling from Dhaka to Naogaon, hit the workers. The bus reportedly skidded on the rain-soaked Bogura-Naogaon Highway, crashed into an electric pole, and then dragged the workers along with it.

Three workers died on the spot, while four others succumbed to their injuries during treatment at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital. Fire Service and Civil Defence personnel, with the help of local residents, rushed the injured to the hospital. Several victims are reported to be in critical condition.

Only four of the deceased have been identified so far. They include Amirul Islam and Nur Alam from Gobindaganj in Gaibandha, Belal Hossain from Fapor in Bogura Sadar, and Tajmul from Joypurhat.

After the accident, other workers and local residents blocked the Bogura-Naogaon Highway and demanded the construction of speed breakers at the accident-prone spot. Local farmer Mizanur Rahman said accidents frequently occur in the Silkybandha area and installing speed breakers is necessary to prevent further tragedies.

Erulia Union Parishad Chairman Atiqur Rahman Atiq said discussions were underway with the administration and the road blockade would be lifted once work on installing speed breakers begins.

The second road accident in the country occurred shortly afterwards in Dayamir area of Osmaninagar sub-district in Sylhet. At least eight people were killed and around 25 others injured after two buses collided head-on.

Osmaninagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Golam Mustafa said the identities of the deceased and injured passengers had not yet been confirmed. According to police, the accident occurred when a ‘Bengal Transport’ bus travelling from Dhaka to Sylhet collided with a ‘Unique Transport’ bus heading from Sylhet to Dhaka.

Police said the impact was so severe that the ‘Unique Transport’ bus fell into a roadside ditch. All those killed were passengers of that bus. The injured were taken to Sylhet’s MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for treatment.

According to Dhaka Tribune, efforts to improve road safety in Bangladesh continue to face major challenges. The Road Safety Foundation reported that 458 road accidents occurred across the country in July, resulting in the deaths of 416 people.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar