Driver burnt as school bus set on fire in Manikganj

A driver suffered burn injuries after arsonists set a school bus on fire in Shibaloy, Manikganj, in the early hours of Friday.

The incident occurred around 1:30 am near Folsatia Bus Stand on the Dhaka–Aricha Highway. The victim, Tajes Khan, 45, a resident of Baraivikra village in Manikganj Sadar Upazila, was sleeping inside the vehicle at the time.

He was initially taken to Manikganj District Sadar Hospital for treatment and later referred to the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute due to the severity of his injuries.

According to police, the bus, operated by The Holy Child School and College to transport students, was parked by the highway as usual. Around 1:30 am, unidentified arsonists set the bus on fire, causing the flames to spread rapidly. The sleeping driver suffered burns in the blaze. Upon receiving information, Borongail Highway Police promptly rescued him and sent him to the hospital. The Fire Service later brought the fire under control.

Shibaloy Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, SM Aman Ullah, said, “We are reviewing nearby CCTV footage to identify and arrest the perpetrators. Legal action is underway in this case.”

Earlier, on 10 November, another school bus parked in the Utholi area of Shibaloy was set on fire by unknown individuals. The back-to-back arson incidents within two weeks have created panic in the area.