At least six people died yesterday in separate accidents on the road and on the rail tracks in the capital; the incidents also left at least 16 people injured.
In the afternoon, a bus overturned near the Karwan Bazar intersection and claimed the life of the bus helper and injured 15 more.
Witnesses said two buses were recklessly racing each other on the Karwan Bazar street, which is one of the busiest roads in the capital – but stayed relatively empty yesterday because of the public holiday.
One of the buses tried to block the other in an attempt to overtake, causing it to swerve and flip over on its side near the CA Bhaban; the other bus driver also failed to steer his vehicle and climbed onto the central reservation. Both the buses operated on the number eight route from Jatrabari to Gabtoli.
The helper of the overturned bus, aged around 28, died in the accident. His identity could not be known at the time, said traffic Inspector Khadimun Islam of Tejgaon zone.
Of the injured, at least four were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and three of them suffered burn injuries, said DMCH officials.
Traffic on the street came to halt for around 15 minutes after the accident as the overturned bus had to be moved from the road.
Meanwhile, two young men were killed and another was injured when their motorcycle was reportedly rammed by a covered van on the Khilgaon flyover.
The deceased are Md Ashikur Rahman Shanto, 20, son of Md Habibur Rahman and Mainuddin, 28, son of Nurul Islam. Their friend Emon, 20, who was also on the bike, escaped death but suffered injuries.
Sabujbagh police OC Rafiqul Islam said the three men had gone for a drive on the flyover when a covered van rammed the motorcycle, causing it to veer and hit the railing of the flyover.
Khilgaon police Sub-Inspector Nayan said the accident took place around 4:30am, while the three youths were taken to the DMCH a little before six in the morning.
The sole survivor, Emon, said the accident took place as they were returning from the airport after bidding farewell to a friend who was going abroad.
Elsewhere in Rampura, the police recovered the body of a man who was reportedly hit by a bus of Turag Paribahan yesterday afternoon. His identity remained unknown as of filing this report.
Meanwhile, near the Biman head office in Kurmitola, the police found the body of Mehedi Hasan, 37, son of Abdul Jalil, and seized a motorcycle and covered van from the spot. They suspected that the van had been left abandoned after it had hit the bike and killed Mehedi.
Another body was also found near the rail tracks between the airport and cantonment rail stations. The victim was suspected to have died after being hit by a train.
