What was meant to be a joyful Eid trip turned into tragedy when a gas cylinder explosion in a microbus killed three people, including the driver, and injured nine others in Bogura’s Sherpur.
The incident occurred at around 7:30 am on Wednesday (March 18) on the Dhaka–Bogura highway in the Chhonka area, according to local sources.
The deceased were identified as Shiuli Begum (48), Tayeba Khatun (35), and microbus driver Rintu (47). Several of the injured, including women and children, were rescued and admitted to hospital.
According to locals, the passenger microbus was travelling from Dhaka towards northern Bangladesh for the Eid holidays. Upon reaching Chhonka, the vehicle’s gas cylinder suddenly exploded, triggering a fire.
Witnesses said the intensity of the blaze was extremely high.
“The fire spread immediately after the loud explosion,”
“The intensity was so severe that passengers had very little chance to escape,”
The driver died on the spot after being severely burned. Two others later died while undergoing treatment at hospital.
Fire Service personnel rushed to the scene, brought the fire under control, and rescued the injured before sending them to hospital.
Rokon Uddin, in charge of the Sherpur Highway Police Camp, confirmed the fatalities.
“Two more victims died after being taken to hospital,”
“That brings the total death toll to three,”
He added that the accident-hit vehicle has been recovered, and the bodies will be handed over to the families after completion of legal procedures.
