5 killed as truck loses control, overturns after entering Rajshahi banana market
Four died instantly, another later at hospital
Five people were killed after a speeding sand-laden truck lost control, entered Jhalmalia Kola Haat (banana market) in Puthia upazila of Rajshahi, ran through people, and overturned today.
Four of the victims died on the spot. They were identified as Siam, son of Shaheen Ali of Kafuria village in Natore Sadar; Munek Pramanik, son of Akkel Pramanik of Paikpara village; Sentu, son of Saim Uddin of Salainagar village in Bagatipara upazila of Natore; and Islam Uddin, son of the late Mahatab Ali of Askorpur village in Charghat upazila of Rajshahi.
Another victim, Rayhan Ali, son of Abdul Jalil Uddin of Khutipara village in Puthia, later died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital around 5:15pm while undergoing treatment, hospital spokesperson Dr Shankar K Biswas confirmed. Rayhan had been critically injured in the accident and lost both his legs and one arm.
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According to eyewitnesses, banana trading was underway at the market around 7:30am when the sand-laden truck, travelling at high speed, veered off the road and entered the roadside market.
A wholesaler, Parvez, said the truck suddenly entered the market and that "everything was swept away within seconds." Another eyewitness, Shahidul, said people and goods were thrown into the air as the truck ran through the market.
Local residents, along with two units from the Puthia and Natore fire stations, rescued the injured and recovered the bodies.
Police said the truck involved in the accident has been recovered and taken to the police station. An unnatural death case has been filed, and a regular case will be lodged if the victims' families submit complaints.
Despite generating crores of taka in revenue from the Jhalmalia and Baneshwar haats, the banana market continues to operate along the Rajshahi–Dhaka highway, local residents said. They alleged that traders occupy nearly half of the road during market hours and that, combined with speeding vehicles, accidents occur frequently.
Residents demanded the removal of the market from the highway. Puthia Police Station officer-in-charge Mozzammel Haque said police have made repeated attempts to evict the market but have been unable to maintain control.
