A tragic collision between two passenger buses on the Pabna–Dhaka highway early Tuesday morning (10 February) has claimed the lives of two people and injured at least ten others. The accident occurred near Sholabaria Bridge, causing severe disruption to traffic in the area.
Mustafizur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Madhpur Highway Police Station, confirmed that one victim died at the scene. The injured were swiftly taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, and another person later succumbed to injuries. The deceased include the driver of Shahjadpur Travels and an assistant of Mochranga Transport. Among the injured, seven to eight are reported to be in critical condition.
Initial investigations and eyewitness reports suggest that the Shahjadpur Travels bus was travelling from Pabna towards Dhaka, while the Mochranga Transport bus was moving in the opposite direction. The two vehicles collided head-on near the bridge, temporarily halting traffic for over an hour. Police and rescue teams quickly reached the site, provided first aid, and cleared the road to restore traffic flow.
Local residents have expressed growing concern over the increasing frequency of accidents at Sholabaria Bridge and nearby curves on the highway. Traffic safety experts have identified excessive speed, negligent driving, and poor road markings as the main contributing factors. They have urged authorities to enforce stricter traffic regulations and conduct awareness campaigns to improve road safety.
The table below summarises the preliminary details of the accident:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | 10 February, 07:15 AM |
| Location | Sholabaria Bridge, Sathia, Pabna |
| Bus Operators | Shahjadpur Travels, Mochranga Transport |
| Fatalities | 2 (driver and assistant) |
| Injured | At least 10 |
| Seriously Injured | 7–8 |
| Rescue Teams | Police and local emergency responders |
| Hospitals | Pabna General Hospital and nearby centres |
Pabna district authorities and police have launched a formal investigation into the causes of the accident. Residents are calling for urgent safety improvements, including proper road signage, speed monitoring, and infrastructure upgrades, particularly at accident-prone curves and the bridge, to prevent future tragedies.
