A passenger bus of Imran Paribahan overturned in Bandra Bazar, Amtali on the Dhaka-Kuakata highway, injuring 29 passengers. The accident occurred in the Bandra Bazar area at around 6:30 am on Thursday, October 22. Eyewitnesses said that the bus lost control and overturned and stopped about 200 meters away.

The injured were rescued by local and fire service personnel and sent to Amtali and Kalapara hospitals. Three of them, who were seriously injured, were sent to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College. Locals said that many of the injured had broken arms and legs.

Locals alleged that the helper was driving the bus because the driver was asleep. The bus was going from Dhaka to Kuakata. The driver and helper are absconding since the accident.

Meanwhile, the locals have expressed their anger over the lack of signal lights at the accident-prone Bandra intersection. They have demanded the immediate installation of signal lampposts, speed bumps and construction of a four-lane road at the spot.

Amtali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Yakub Hossain said the bus has been seized. The driver, Helapar, is absconding. Legal action is under process.