At least 14 killed as truck ploughs thru multiple vehicles in Jhalakathi; 2 detained

At least 14 people were killed as a speeding truck ploughed through several vehicles at the toll gate of Gabkhan Bridge on Barishal-Khulna Regional Highway in Jhalakathi ojn Wednesday (17 April).

The deceased include five women and three children aged between 1-7 years, according to Jhalakathai Sadar Hospital Superintendent of Dr Shamim Ahmed.

Local sources said at least 10 of the victims were guests of a bridal reception. They met with the fatal crash around 1:30pm as their vehicles stopped at the toll gate of the bridge en route to the reception venue at Ostakhal village of Gabkhan union.

One of the survivors, a brother-in-law of the bride, Kamal Hossain from Shekhethat union of Jhalakathi sadar upazila, told The Business Standard, "My brother died before my eyes. I couldn't do anything ."

Kamal's brother Atiqur Rahman Sadi, a class-X student, was among the victims.

"We were en route to my sister-in-law's bridal reception in Ostakhal village of Gabkhan union with around 25 guests on four battery-run easy bikes and a microbus. 

"At around 1:30pm, our vehicles stopped at the Gabkhan toll booth. Meanwhile, a truck loaded with cement crashed into our vehicles, pedestrians and toll workers. Our joys turned into desert  in moments," Kamal added.

Meanwhile, police have arrested the driver and helper of the truck.

Driver Al Amin, 29, from Jhalakathi sadar upazila, and helper Nazmul, 22, from Khulna, were detained in a drive carried out by the detective branch (DB) of Jhalakathi district police, said Superintendent of Jhalakathi Police Afruzul Haque Tutul.

Jhalkathi sadar police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shahidul Islam said 12 people died on the spot and 16 to 20 people were injured. 

Two more succumbed to their injuries at hospital, said Superintendent of Jhalakathi Police Afruzul Haque Tutul.

Jhalakathi Fire Service and Civil Defence Station Officer Shafiqul Islam said initially, it was suspected that the cement-laden truck lost control after brake failure and rammed into the vehicles. "The incident is being investigated."

Dr Mehdi Hasan Sani, resident medical officer of Jhalakathi Sadar Hospital, said they received 12 bodies from the road accident while another 17 people were admitted with injuries. 

Some of the injured have been moved to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, he added.

Jhalakathi Deputy Commissioner Farah Gul Nijhum said a four-member probe committee, headed by Jhalakathi Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Ruhul Amin, has been formed to investigate the incident. 

The committee has been asked to submit a report within the next five working days, she said, adding that necessary action will be taken after the submission of the report.