14 Killed, 25 Injured in Head-On Collision Between Bus and Truck in Natore

PNN News Desk | Natore

The death toll from a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a sand-laden truck in Banpara, Baraigram Upazila, Natore, has risen to 14. At least 25 people were injured in the accident. Although the identities of some of the deceased and injured have been established, police are working to identify the remaining victims.

The accident occurred at around 4:30 am on Tuesday (October 20), near the Banpara Police Investigation Centre on the Natore-Pabna Highway. The collision left the bus severely mangled. Fire service personnel and rescue workers faced considerable difficulties while trying to free passengers trapped inside the vehicle.

Alamgir Hossain, a sub-inspector (SI) of Banpara Highway Police Station, said the passenger bus named RP Special, travelling from Shariatpur to Chapainawabganj, collided head-on with a sand-laden truck coming from the opposite direction.

Nine people died at the scene. The injured were subsequently rescued and taken to various hospitals, including Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where five more people died while undergoing treatment.

The police officer expressed concern that the death toll could rise further.

So far, the identities of six of the deceased have been established. They are Sohel Rana, 40, son of Abdul Hakim of Foradpur village in Godagari Upazila, Rajshahi; Anwarul Haque, 30, son of Babar Ali of Konopara village in Bagmara Upazila; Tasfia Khatun, 8, of Subidkhali village in Mirzaganj Upazila, Patuakhali; Jewel, 40, son of Johar Uddin of Ramkrishnapur village in Jazira Upazila, Shariatpur; Sohag, 30, son of Yunus Ali of Dubi Sahapur village in the same upazila; and Abdus Salam Molla, 46, son of Jahan Uddin Molla.

Among the injured are Alamgir Matbar, 55, from Shariatpur; Abdus Salam, 35, from Chapainawabganj; Wahid Ali, 22, from Shibganj; Naim Talukdar, 20, from Madaripur; Nargis Akter, 35; Jesmin Akter, 35, from Barguna; Chiranjit Kumar, 25, from Niamatpur in Naogaon; Manik Hossain, 37, and Shahajul Islam, 36, from Manda in Naogaon; and Rakib Hossain, 25, from Lakshmipur.

Authorities are continuing efforts to identify the other deceased and injured individuals.

After receiving news of the accident, a rescue team from the Natore Fire Service quickly arrived at the scene and launched a rescue operation. Local residents also assisted in the efforts. The injured were taken to various hospitals in Natore and to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Akhtar Hamid, deputy director of the Natore Fire Service, said the rescue team began work immediately after receiving information about the accident. He explained that the operation was complicated because the bus had been severely crushed and passengers were trapped inside.

Some of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.

Ramzan Ali, an injured passenger from the Gomostapur area of Chapainawabganj, claimed that the truck had been travelling in its own lane. According to him, the bus crossed into the opposite lane and collided with the truck. He suspected that the bus driver had fallen asleep at the wheel.

However, the actual cause of the accident can only be established through an investigation.

Following the collision, the bus and truck remained on the highway, temporarily disrupting traffic on the Natore-Pabna route. Authorities subsequently took steps to remove the damaged vehicles and restore normal traffic movement.

Meanwhile, the accident site was visited by National Parliament Whip and Natore-2 constituency lawmaker Advocate M. Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu, Deputy Commissioner Sumani Akter, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shariful Haque and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Laila Jannatul Ferdous.

The accident in Banpara has also revived painful memories of an earlier tragedy in the area. On October 20, 2014, a devastating bus accident at Rejur Mor on the Banpara-Hatikumrul Highway in Baraigram claimed 38 lives.

The latest accident occurred on the 12th anniversary of that tragedy, once again causing a major loss of life in the same upazila.

The recurrence of such a devastating accident, alongside memories of the earlier tragedy, has renewed concerns over road safety in Banpara and the surrounding areas.