33 killed in Bangladesh bus accident

At least 33 people were killed and 20 others were injured when a bus plunged into a ditch after skidding off the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar yesterday.

Witnesses said the accident occurred when the bus was on Salehpur bridge at Hemayetpur at 2.15pm. It was on its way from Dhamrai to Gabtali in the capital when the driver lost control.

The bus, carrying 50 people, plummeted some 30-35 feet and sank in the ditch with most of the passengers trapped inside.

"I cannot recall anything at this moment, what happened and how I came out of the bus," said Fazlur Rahman, one of the survivors.

Hearing wails and cries for help, people rushed to the spot and joined the rescue operation.

Some 22 dead bodies, including three women and two children, have been sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Twelve injured have been admitted to DMCH while others to local clinics.

Police sources said the toll could increase. The officer-in-charge of Savar police said they are trying to salvage the bus. They do not about the fate of the driver.

The official BSS news agency said Communication Minister Nazmul Huda had visited the crash scene.

Road accidents are frequent in Bangladesh and are blamed mostly on rash driving and faulty vehicles.

In one incident last month, 33 passengers were killed when two buses collided in northern Bangladesh.