Bogura: At least three persons were killed and several others injured after a microbus overturned and caught fire following a collision with a road divider in Chonka Bazar area under Sherpur upazila of the district on Wednesday morning. The deceased were identified as Sheuli Begum, her brother Mominul Islam, children of Shahidul Islam, and their relative Tayeba, all residents of Taluk Shahabaz area under Kaunia upazila in Rangpur district.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the tragic accident occurred around 7.30 am on the Dhaka-Bogura highway. The microbus was traveling from Dhaka to North Bengal, carrying home-bound passengers to celebrate Eid holidays. On its way, the vehicle hit a road divider, causing a gas cylinder inside the microbus to explode with a loud blast. The explosion quickly engulfed the vehicle in flames, leaving passengers with little chance to escape.
At least nine passengers sustained burn injuries in the incident. The injured individuals include Fatema, 10, Shahidul, 40, Toushib, 30, Tasmia, 20, Helena, 60, Tariqul, 36, Fatema, 2, Arham, 7, and Hamim, 30. They were rescued and rushed to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
Firefighters from Sherpur Fire Service responded promptly and managed to bring the blaze under control. Fire Service Warehouse Inspector Bakhtiar Uddin confirmed that one victim died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries later at the hospital. Rokon Uddin, in-charge of the Sherpur Highway Police Camp, confirmed the matter and said the vehicle involved in the accident has been recovered. The bodies of the deceased will be handed over to their families after completion of legal procedures, he added.