In a devastating accident on Saturday, at least 17 passengers lost their lives, and over a dozen others were left injured when a bus skidded off the road and plunged into a pond in the southwestern part of Bangladesh.
The incident occurred in Jhalkathi, as the bus, carrying a total of 65 passengers, was en route from Bhandaria upazila to Barisal, the headquarters of the South-West Division.
According to local authorities, the bus met with the unfortunate fate after it overturned and careened into the nearby pond, following the driver’s loss of control over the vehicle. The police are currently investigating the circumstances that led to the driver’s inability to maneuver the bus.
Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to recover the victims and provide aid to the injured. As of now, 17 bodies have been retrieved from the pond, including eight women and three children. However, with the operation still ongoing, authorities fear that more casualties may emerge as they work to retrieve the bus from the waterlogged pond, which has been exacerbated by incessant rain in the region.
Deputy Inspector of Police Gautam Kumar Ghosh stated to reporters that the rescue efforts are being hindered by the challenging weather conditions, but they remain committed to retrieving any additional bodies that may be trapped inside the submerged bus. The injured passengers, numbering around 20, are currently receiving medical attention at the main government hospital in Jhalakathi.
Disturbing reports have emerged from surviving passengers, alleging that the driver seemed preoccupied and inattentive while operating the bus. Witnesses claim that he was engaged in continuous conversation with his co-driver, diverting his attention from the road. Additionally, passengers reported that the driver was encouraging the co-driver to accommodate more passengers beyond the bus’s capacity, potentially contributing to the tragic outcome of the journey.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, leaving families grieving and the nation in mourning. Authorities are now calling for a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident and hold responsible parties accountable for the loss of innocent lives.
As the country mourns the loss of these 17 passengers and prays for the swift recovery of the injured, there is a renewed focus on road safety measures and regulations in Bangladesh to prevent such tragic accidents from occurring in the future.
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