A tragic road accident occurred on Friday afternoon in Baniapara, along the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway in Daudkandi, Comilla, involving a passenger bus, an auto-rickshaw, and a motorcycle. Following the collision, the bus erupted into flames, engulfing it within moments and sending passengers into a panic.
According to Daudkandi Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Iqbal Bahar Majumdar, the incident took place around 12:45–1:00 pm. “The fire service recovered the bodies of four individuals from the bus: two children, one woman, and one man. The identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed. Several injured passengers were rushed to Comilla Medical College Hospital and other nearby facilities, some in critical condition,” he said.
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus was travelling at an excessive speed and its brakes failed at the time of the collision. “The flames spread almost instantly,” one witness recounted. “Passengers were desperately breaking windows and doors in a bid to escape, while local residents and emergency responders joined efforts to rescue them.” The Comilla Fire Service arrived promptly at the scene and successfully brought the fire under control.
The following table summarises the key details of the accident:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Baniapara, Daudkandi, Comilla, Dhaka–Chattogram Highway |
| Time | Friday, 12:45–1:00 pm |
| Vehicles Involved | Passenger bus, auto-rickshaw, motorcycle |
| Fatalities | 4 (2 children, 1 woman, 1 man) |
| Injured | 8–10, admitted to local hospitals, some in critical condition |
| Fire Control | Comilla Fire Service |
| Probable Cause | Under investigation; preliminary reports indicate excessive speed and risky overtaking |
The OIC of Daudkandi Highway Police Station highlighted the persistent dangers posed by high-speed vehicles on the highway, urging motorists to exercise caution. “Ensuring road safety is of utmost importance. Adhering strictly to traffic regulations is essential to reduce the frequency of such accidents,” he emphasised.
Local residents described harrowing scenes of panic as passengers struggled to flee the blazing bus. Many were forced to smash windows to escape, while others sustained serious injuries due to the rapidly spreading fire. Calls are mounting for a thorough investigation into the accident, with hopes that authorities will identify the exact cause and strengthen safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.