Several passengers were trapped inside a Hanif Paribahan bus after it collided with an Ena Paribahan coach on the Dhaka–Mawa Expressway in Sreenagar, Munshiganj, in the early hours of Friday. Fire service personnel broke open the bus door to rescue those trapped inside. No casualties were reported.
The accident occurred at around 2am on Friday, 9 October, on the Mawa-bound lane of the expressway in front of the Hasara passenger shelter in Sreenagar upazila.
According to the Fire Service, two units from the Sreenagar Fire Station were dispatched to the scene shortly after receiving information about the collision. Rescue workers began operations upon arrival and used the necessary equipment to break open the door of the Hanif Paribahan bus, allowing the trapped passengers to get out safely.
Preliminary information suggests that the Ena Paribahan bus had slowed down and applied its brakes to avoid hitting a motorcycle travelling ahead of it. The Hanif Paribahan bus, approaching from behind, subsequently struck the Ena coach. The initial account indicates that excessive speed may have contributed to the Hanif bus driver losing control of the vehicle.
The two coaches were travelling in different directions from Dhaka. According to Muhammad Shafiqul Islam PFM, deputy assistant director of Munshiganj Fire Service and Civil Defence, the Ena Paribahan bus was travelling from Dhaka to Kuakata, while the Hanif Paribahan bus was heading towards Khulna.
The collision left several passengers unable to exit the Hanif bus through its door, prompting the emergency response. The two fire service units carried out the rescue operation, successfully bringing everyone trapped inside to safety. Authorities reported no deaths or injuries in the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the collision highlight the risks associated with sudden braking and inadequate following distances on high-speed roads. When a vehicle ahead slows down unexpectedly, drivers travelling behind it need sufficient space and time to respond. Maintaining a safe distance, observing speed limits and remaining alert to changing traffic conditions are essential precautions, particularly on expressways where vehicles generally travel at higher speeds.
Although the incident did not result in any reported casualties, the passengers’ entrapment demonstrates the importance of having emergency services equipped and ready to respond to road accidents. The prompt intervention by the Sreenagar Fire Service units helped ensure that the trapped passengers were rescued safely.
