Accident involving a bus leaving only 19 dead in Bangladesh

A high-speed bus left an important expressway, in the center of Bangladesh, and, fell at a speed, killing at least 19 people and injuring dozens, informed the police this Sunday (19).

The number of deaths can increase even more, since some of the injured passengers are in critical condition, says Anowar Hossain, Shibchar police officer, where the accident occurred. The city is located 80 kilometers from the capital Dhaka.

The bus, carrying more than 40 passengers, fell about 9 meters along the road’s beira after breaking the grade of the recently built expressway of the Padma River bridge, explained Hossain.

The motorist, who died, seemed to have lost or controlled the vehicle after the tire of the bus stopped, the officer continued, adding that the cause of the accident is being investigated.

Traffic accidents are common in Bangladesh, often attributed to reckless driving, dangerous vehicles and poor insurance coverage, which kill thousands each year.

In 2018, a series of massive student protests, triggered by the death of two teenagers, forced the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to approve an increase in the maximum prison term from three to five years for causing death by reckless direction.