9 killed in Narsingdi as 2 buses go in flames after collision

Locals gather around one of the badly damaged passenger buses which went in flames after a head-on collision on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway in Karachar area of Sibbari upazila in Narsingdi Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Star

At least nine people, including a child, were burnt dead and 38 others injured as gas cylinders of two passenger buses exploded after colliding head-on on Dhaka-Sylhet highway at Shibpur upazila of Narsingdi this afternoon.

Among the deceased, seven died on the spot. Two of them were identified as Sohana Ahmed, 24, from Kendua village of Kishoreganj, Maznu Mia, 50, from Haimara village in Raipura upazila of the district died on the spot, Dr Mizanur Rahman, a residential physician at Narsingdi Sadar hospital.

Meanwhile, two other passengers by the same name Abdul Hannan, 50, and 58, succumbed to their wounds at the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) around 8:00pm, ASI Haider Ali of the police camp there told The Daily Star.

The accident took place as a Dhaka-bound Shohag Paribahan bus collided head-on with a Manahardi-bound bus around 5:10pm, reports our Narsingdi correspondent.

Other injured passengers were admitted to DMCH and different local clinics including Narsingdi Sadar hospital. Of them two are critically burnt, said the ASI.

Fire fighters from Narsingdi with the help of the local people were able to douse the fire after half-an-hour’s effort.