A woman was killed and at least 15 passengers, including children, were injured after a passenger bus veered off the road and plunged into a roadside ditch in Gaibandha’s Palashbari Upazila on Sunday morning. The accident occurred in the Thutiyapakur area of Mahdipur Union along the Gaibandha–Palashbari regional highway, prompting an immediate rescue operation involving local residents, firefighters and police personnel.
The deceased was identified as Rikta Begum, a resident of the Sahar Bazar area in Gaibandha Sadar Upazila and the wife of Aijol Haque. According to local authorities, she was travelling as a passenger when the bus overturned into the ditch. She became trapped beneath the vehicle and died at the scene before rescuers could reach her.
Officials and eyewitnesses said the bus, operated by New Safa Paribahan, had departed from Dhaka and was travelling towards Gaibandha. At approximately 7:00 a.m., the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle upon reaching the Thutiyapakur area. The bus then left the carriageway and overturned into a roadside ditch.
Residents living near the accident site were among the first to respond after hearing a loud crash. They rushed to assist passengers and worked alongside members of the Fire Service and Civil Defence and police officers to pull injured victims from the wreckage. Several passengers were reportedly trapped inside the vehicle and had to be rescued before being transported to nearby medical facilities.
Accident Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Thutiyapakur, Mahdipur Union, Palashbari Upazila |
| District | Gaibandha |
| Time | Approximately 7:00 a.m. |
| Vehicle Involved | New Safa Paribahan passenger bus |
| Fatalities | 1 (Rikta Begum) |
| Injured | At least 15 |
| Route | Dhaka to Gaibandha |
| Rescue Agencies | Fire Service, Police and Local Residents |
The injured passengers, including women, men and children, were taken to Palashbari Upazila Health Complex, Gaibandha General Hospital and several local clinics for treatment. Medical personnel stated that most victims suffered cuts, bruises and impact-related injuries, although a number of passengers remained under observation due to concerns about more serious trauma.
Several survivors described moments of panic before the crash. According to their accounts, the bus began swaying unexpectedly before leaving the road and overturning. Some passengers noted that the ditch contained only a limited amount of water, which allowed many occupants to escape quickly. They suggested that the death toll could have been significantly higher had the water level been deeper.
Lokman Hakim, an official of the Palashbari Fire Service sub-station, said rescue teams reached the site shortly after receiving reports of the incident. Emergency responders focused on extracting trapped passengers, ensuring medical assistance for the injured and initiating efforts to recover the damaged vehicle from the ditch.
Meanwhile, Pradip Kumar, an investigating officer at Palashbari Police Station, confirmed that Rikta Begum’s body had been handed over to her family following the completion of legal formalities. He added that an investigation is under way to determine the precise cause of the accident.
Although the exact circumstances remain unclear, preliminary assessments suggest that excessive speed, mechanical failure or driver error may have contributed to the crash. Investigators are expected to examine the vehicle’s condition, road environment and witness statements before reaching a final conclusion.
The tragedy comes amid continuing concerns over road safety in Bangladesh, where highway and regional road accidents remain a significant public safety issue. Transport safety experts have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, regular vehicle fitness inspections, improved driver training and adequate rest periods for long-distance drivers. They argue that such measures are essential to reducing the frequency of fatal road accidents and improving passenger safety across the country.