A devastating accident on the Dhaka–Bogura highway in Sherpur has claimed three lives and left nine others injured after a microbus’s gas cylinder exploded. The incident occurred on Wednesday, 18 March, at approximately 7:30 a.m. in Chhonka, a locality within Bhabanipur Union.
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Victims Overview
The deceased include:
| Name | Age | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Shiuli Begum | 48 | Passenger |
| Taiba Khatun | 35 | Passenger |
| Rintu | 47 | Driver |
The injured range from toddlers to adults:
| Name | Age | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Fatema | 10 | Passenger |
| Shahidul | 40 | Passenger |
| Toushib | 30 | Passenger |
| Tasmiya | 20 | Passenger |
| Helena | 60 | Passenger |
| Tarikul | 36 | Passenger |
| Fatema | 2 | Passenger |
| Arham | 7 | Passenger |
| Hamim | 30 | Passenger |
Incident Details
According to local sources and the fire service, the microbus was travelling north from Dhaka, carrying passengers for the Eid holiday. Upon reaching Chhonka, the vehicle’s gas cylinder suddenly exploded with a loud blast, immediately engulfing the vehicle in flames.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, noting that the intensity of the fire left passengers with very little opportunity to escape. The driver, Rintu, was trapped and perished inside the bus.
Emergency Response
Sherpur Fire Service responded swiftly after being alerted. Fire Service Warehouse Inspector Bakhtiar Uddin stated, “We arrived promptly and managed to bring the fire under control. Unfortunately, one individual died at the scene. The injured were quickly transferred to Shahid Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital.”
Sherpur Highway Police Camp In-Charge Rokon Uddin confirmed that two more victims succumbed to their injuries after hospital admission, raising the death toll to three. The wrecked microbus has been removed from the highway, and following legal procedures, the bodies of the deceased will be handed over to their families.
Safety Concerns
Authorities emphasised the critical importance of proper maintenance and regular inspection of gas cylinders in passenger vehicles. Fire and police officials have urged transport operators to adhere strictly to safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns over vehicle safety on Bangladesh’s highways, particularly regarding the use of gas-fuelled microbuses during peak travel periods, such as major holidays, when passenger traffic surges.