Bus crash kills seven agricultural laborers in Bogura, Bangladesh

Tragedy struck Bogura's Erulia Bazar before sunrise when a speeding bus plowed into a crowd of agricultural laborers, killing seven people. Approximately 200 workers had gathered at the informal market, hoping to secure day labor jobs, many having traveled from neighboring districts in search of work during the Aman paddy planting season.

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Back home, a full day of hard labour earned us only Tk 500 to Tk 700. In Bogura, however, contract work planting paddy paid Tk 800 to Tk 1,200 a day. That extra income was our only hope of keeping our families afloat.

The laborers, many of whom were the sole breadwinners for their families, were seeking higher wages. While back home they might earn Tk 500 to Tk 700 for a full day's work, contract work planting paddy in Bogura offered Tk 800 to Tk 1,200. This prospect was their "only hope of keeping our families afloat," according to Habibur Rahman, an agricultural worker from Enayetpur village.

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My uncle, Abu Sayed, 45, was among the seven people killed in the crash. Sayed Chacha [uncle] was the sole breadwinner for his five-member family. His elderly parents were waiting at home for him to return. He was supposed to go back in just a few days, but the crash changed everything.

Rahman's uncle, Abu Sayed, 45, was among the seven killed. Sayed was the sole provider for his five-member family and was expected to return home in a few days. His wife, Rina Begum, rushed to Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital upon hearing the news, her cries echoing as she repeatedly fainted.

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Some managed to run to safety, but seven people were crushed under the bus. Most of those killed were the sole breadwinners of their families.

Md Borhan, another worker, recounted the terrifying moment the bus lost control. The driver swerved sharply to avoid a motorcycle, hit a roadside electric pole, spun around, and then crashed into the waiting workers. While some managed to escape, seven were crushed. Borhan appealed for government support for the victims' families, warning of severe financial hardship without it.

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Where did you go, leaving me all alone?