Driver killed, at least 20 injured in head-on bus collision in Barishal

A bus driver was killed, and at least 20 passengers were injured in a head-on collision between two buses in Babuganj upazila of Barishal last night (26 February). 

The accident occurred around 9:30pm on the northern slope of the Birshreshtha Jahangir Bridge on the Dhaka–Barishal highway in Barishal.

The deceased was identified as Kabir Hossain, driver of Islam Paribahan, who was reportedly a resident of Barguna.

According to local eyewitnesses and police sources, a Dhaka-bound Islam Paribahan bus (Dhaka Metro Ba-13-2346) from Patharghata collided head-on with a Barishal-bound Labiba Paribahan bus (Dhaka Metro Ba-14-3979) coming from Dhaka. Both vehicles were severely damaged in the crash.

At least 15 to 20 passengers from both buses, including Labiba Paribahan driver Russell, sustained serious injuries.

Islam Paribahan driver Kabir Hossain was rushed to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in critical condition, where on-duty doctors declared him dead.

Following the accident, a team from the Babuganj Fire Service quickly reached the scene and began rescue operations. The injured were taken to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital and other nearby medical facilities.

Zahidul Islam, team leader of Babuganj Fire Service and Civil Defence, said they responded immediately after receiving the information and transported the injured to hospitals.

Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Md Ehteshamul Islam of Babuganj Police Station said traffic movement on the highway has since returned to normal. The body of the deceased driver has been kept at the morgue of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.