All parties responsible for IUT students' deaths from electrocution of bus: Buet probe committee 

All parties concerned, including the Power Division, university authorities, Matir Maya Eco Resort authorities and BRTC bus authorities, are responsible for the deaths of three Islamic University of Technology (IUT) students after a bus taking them to a picnic came into contact with an overhead bare electric wire in Gazipur on Saturday, said members of an independent probe committee of Buet.

The independent investigators of Buet (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology) made the observation after visiting the incident site in Sreepur today (25 November).

Two other independent probe committees formed by the IUT and the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board visited the spot but refused to make comments before their investigations were over.

However, after inspecting the site, Buet Prof Ziaur Rahman Khan, who is leading the probe committee, said, "After the incident came to our notice, some of us visited the spot under the instructions of higher authorities concerned. We inspected the power transmission lines alongside the narrow roads of the village.

"It seems that in the past few years, the power transmission line has been lowered as the road to Matir Maya Resort has risen at least 3 feet. The roof of the BRTC double-decker bus came into contact with the high-power transmission line as the line was not elevated along the road."

He also said overhead bare electric wires that transmit power are hanging lower in many places.

"The wire was hanging very low where the incident took place. It should be questioned as to why so many students were being taken in a double-decker bus on such a narrow road. The height differences between the surface and the wire decreased by at least 3 feet," he said.

Stating that he does not want to make any sudden comments, the Buet professor said, "But one thing is clear – everyone, including the university authorities, BRTC bus authorities, resort authorities, the Power Division and all others concerned – are responsible for the incident."

Earlier on 23 November, three IUT students died by electrocution and six others were critically injured after a bus taking them to a picnic came into contact with an overhead bare electric wire in Gazipur's Sreepur.

The deceased are - Mozammel Hossain Naim, 24, from Rangur; Mostakim Rahman Mahin, 22, from Feni; and Jobayer Alam Sakib, 22, from Rajshahi.

All of the deceased were students of IUT's Mechanical Engineering department, confirmed Deputy Director of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital Jakiul Islam.

The injured students are currently under treatment at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.