The Islamic University of Technology (IUT) has announced a three-day mourning from Monday to November 27, following the death of three students who were electrocuted during a picnic in Gazipur's Sreepur upazila.
In a press release issued at 3pm on Sunday, the university authorities expressed profound grief and announced that the university flag would remain at half-mast during the mourning period.
Academic activities have also been suspended for one week as a mark of respect.
The accident occurred on Saturday morning when students of the Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering were on a picnic at Matir Maya Eco Resort. A bus carrying the students came into contact with an 11,000-kilovolt power line, resulting in the deaths of three third-year students.
Three other students sustained injuries in the accident and are currently undergoing treatment. The university has pledged to provide full support for their recovery.
The university community gathered for a funeral prayer in absentia at the campus mosque after the Isha prayer on Sunday night.
Multiple committees have been formed to investigate the incident.
The Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) has constituted two separate inquiry committees including an eight-member committee headed by Chief Engineer Abdur Rahim Mallick, and a three-member committee led by Deputy General Manager Mohiuddin Ahmed of Jamirdia Masterbari Zonal Office in Mymensingh's Bhaluka upazila.
Additionally, the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has launched an investigation led by its Gazipur BRTC Bus Depot Manager (Operations) Rakibul Hasan Shubo.
Mymensingh Palli Bidyut Samiti-2 General Manager Akmal Hossain confirmed the formation of the inquiry committees and said that efforts were underway to determine the cause of the accident.
Meanwhile, Sreepur police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Zainal Abedin Mondal confirmed that no case had been filed as of Sunday.
The university expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its students, extending heartfelt condolences to their families. "This is an irreparable loss for the IUT community," the press release stated.
The authorities also emphasized their commitment to ensuring justice and taking necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
