The death toll from a collision between two buses in Dhaka’s Norda area has risen to four, while at least 10 others are undergoing treatment for injuries, police said on Wednesday.
The accident occurred around 6am near Notun Bazar.
Police said an Islam Paribahan bus, coming from Patuakhali, lost control in the Norda area, broke the road divider and crashed into an Akash Paribahan bus coming from the opposite direction.
The deceased were identified as Laiju Begum, 38, Kabir Jamaddar, 47, Khushi Begum, 35, and Md Rabiul, 22.
According to witnesses, the Akash Paribahan bus was severely damaged in the collision, triggering a traffic jam in the area and causing suffering for Eid-bound passengers. Police were later deployed to bring the situation under control.
Officials from Bhatara Police Station also visited the spot. However, the driver and helper of the Islam Paribahan bus managed to flee before police arrival. The injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Kurmitola General Hospital.
Bhatara Police Station Sub-Inspector Moudud said a bus counter in the Norda area near Notun Bazar usually remains crowded.
“The Islam Paribahan bus was reportedly speeding. While crossing from Notun Bazar towards Uttara, it lost control, hit the divider and then crashed into the Akash Paribahan bus going from Uttara to Gulistan,” he said.
He added that the Akash Paribahan bus carried more passengers, while the other bus had only a few on board.
“A female passenger died on the spot, and three others later died at Kurmitola and Dhaka Medical College Hospital,” he said.
Moudud said some of the injured were in critical condition and were undergoing treatment at the two hospitals.
He further said both buses were removed from the spot with wreckers and taken to the police station, restoring traffic movement in the area.
The driver and helper of the Islam Paribahan bus remain absconding, he added.
