A tragic incident occurred on the Dhaka-Bogura highway in Sherpur, Bogura, when a gas cylinder in a passenger microbus exploded, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to nine others. The accident took place on Wednesday, 18 March, at approximately 7:30 a.m., in the Chhonka area of Bhabanipur Union.
Casualties
| Category | Name | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Deceased | Shiuli Begum | 48 |
| Deceased | Taiba Khatun | 35 |
| Deceased | Driver Rintu | 47 |
| Injured | Fatema | 10 |
| Injured | Shahidul | 40 |
| Injured | Toushib | 30 |
| Injured | Tasmia | 20 |
| Injured | Helena | 60 |
| Injured | Tarikul | 36 |
| Injured | Fatema (child) | 2 |
| Injured | Arham | 7 |
| Injured | Hamim | 30 |
According to local sources and the Fire Service, the microbus was travelling from Dhaka to northern Bangladesh to accommodate holiday traffic during the Eid break. Upon reaching Chhonka, the vehicle’s gas cylinder suddenly exploded with a loud blast. Flames quickly engulfed the entire bus, leaving passengers with minimal opportunity to escape. Eyewitnesses reported that the driver, Rintu, was trapped inside and perished in the fire.
Rescue Efforts
The Sherpur Fire Service responded immediately to the scene. Warehouse Inspector Bakhtiar Uddin stated, “Upon receiving the report, our team rushed to the site and brought the fire under control. Unfortunately, one person died at the scene. The injured were swiftly transported to Shahid Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital for treatment.”
Sherpur Highway Police Camp in-charge Rokon Uddin confirmed that two more victims succumbed to their injuries after arriving at the hospital, bringing the total death toll to three. The accident-affected microbus has been recovered from the highway, and the deceased will be handed over to their families following legal procedures.
Safety Concerns
This incident highlights the dangers of improperly installed or maintained LPG and other gas cylinders in passenger vehicles. Experts emphasise the importance of routine vehicle maintenance, secure cylinder connections, and adherence to emergency protocols. Authorities have urged microbus operators and drivers to implement stricter safety checks, especially on high-traffic routes like the Dhaka-Bogura highway, to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The event has drawn attention to the vulnerability of public transport passengers during peak travel periods and has reinforced the need for stricter enforcement of transport safety regulations.
