A serious road traffic accident occurred late on Thursday night along the Kishoreganj–Bhairab highway at Nandala, when two passenger buses collided head-on, leaving at least 20 passengers injured and causing significant damage to both vehicles.
The incident took place at approximately 10:00 pm on 26 March near the Nandala market area, a busy stretch of the highway known for heavy inter-district traffic. According to police and local sources, an “Oshim Paribahan” bus travelling from Dhaka towards Karimganj and a “Minhaj Paribahan” bus en route from Netrokona to Chattogram came into direct contact while moving in opposite directions.
The impact of the collision was severe, leaving both buses extensively mangled. Passengers inside the vehicles were thrown into panic as windows shattered and seats were displaced due to the force of the crash. Several passengers were reportedly trapped momentarily before local residents rushed to the scene to assist in rescue efforts.
Emergency response teams, along with local volunteers, quickly evacuated the injured and transported them to Kishoreganj 250-bed General Hospital and Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital. Two critically injured individuals were later transferred to Dhaka for advanced medical treatment. Hospital officials stated that while a few patients remain in serious condition, most are now out of danger.
The driver of the Minhaj Paribahan bus sustained serious injuries and is currently under close medical supervision. Meanwhile, the driver of the Oshim Paribahan bus reportedly fled the scene immediately after the accident. Police have launched a search operation to locate him.
The collision caused major disruption to traffic on the highway, leading to a complete standstill for nearly two hours. Long queues of vehicles formed on both sides of the road as authorities struggled to clear the wreckage. Traffic flow was eventually restored with the assistance of police and fire service personnel after the damaged buses were removed.
Preliminary assessments suggest that speeding, reckless driving, or a possible attempt to overtake on the wrong side of the road may have contributed to the crash. Authorities have confirmed that a formal investigation is underway, and legal action will be taken based on the findings.
Accident Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Nandala area, Kishoreganj–Bhairab Highway |
| Time | 26 March, around 10:00 pm |
| Vehicles Involved | Oshim Paribahan & Minhaj Paribahan buses |
| Number of Injured | Approximately 15–20 passengers |
| Critical Cases | 2 passengers transferred to Dhaka |
| Driver Status | One injured, one absconding |
| Traffic Disruption | Around 2 hours |
| Possible Cause | Speeding / negligence / wrong-lane driving |
Local residents and commuters have once again raised concerns over road safety on this busy highway, urging authorities to enforce stricter speed monitoring, improve enforcement against reckless driving, and strengthen nighttime traffic supervision to prevent similar tragedies in the future.