The incidents that shocked all in 2019
The outgoing year, 2019, will be remembered for both good and bad incidents
The world is set to welcome the New Year with a hope for a better future. The outgoing year, 2019, will be remembered for both good and bad incidents. This year, Bangladesh witnessed increasing deaths thanks to dengue outbreak, frequent fire and other accidents.
Dengue Outbreak
A dreadful dengue outbreak was seen from April this year. According to the Directorate General of Health Services, a total of 148 people have so far died of the disease. Though the mosquito-borne disease was initially identified in the capital city, it gradually spread to other parts of the country.
Although dengue is a common phenomenon in Bangladesh, it broke previous death records this year. Normally, people get infected with the disease from April to October. But this year the outbreak has been lengthier.
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A total of 101,319 people were admitted to different hospitals with dengue disease. Of them, 100,951 patients were released from the hospitals after full recovery.
Besides, the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) examined 266 reported dengue death case and identified 148 of those as dengue-related deaths.
Cumilla Truck Accident
Thirteen brick-kiln workers were killed when a coal-laden truck overturned on it labour-shed at Narayanpur of Cumilla's Chauddagram upazila on January 25.
Fifteen workers were sleeping at the shanty and the accident left 12 of them dead on the spot in their sleep. Another worker succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital.
Chawkbazar Fire
When the nation was preparing to commemorate the Language Movement martyrs, a devastating fire broke out at nearby Chawkbazar's Churihatta on February 20. Before firefighters extinguished the blaze, tclaimed more than 70 lives. Fire was originated at a chemical warehouse and later engulfed the adjacent buildings.
Kulaura Train Accident
A tragic train accident left six people dead in Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar on June 23. Four compartments of the Upaban Express train plunged into a canal after derailment near Baramchal Railway Station.
Brahmanbaria Train Collision
At least 16 passengers were killed and over 100 others injured in a fatal collision between two trains on Dhaka-Chattogram route in Mandbagh Railway Station in Brahmanbaria's Kasba upazila on November 12.
The collision between Dhaka-bound Turna Nishita Express from Chattogram and Chattogram-bound Udayan Express from Sylhet took place around 3am. It was reported that the accident was caused due to signal violation by a loco master.
Banani Fire
A massive fire broke out at FR Tower in the capital's Banani area on March 28, leaving 26 people dead. Some of the deceased died after jumping off the high rise. Besides, 73 people sustained burn injuries in the incident.
Sirajganj Train Accident
Four compartments of Rangpur Express train derailed and three of those caught fire immediately at Sirajganj's Ullapara on November 14. No casualty was reported in the incident as all passengers managed to come out of the bogies after breaking windows.
Keraniganj Fire
Twenty-two people were burned to death in a fire that broke out at Prime Plate and Plastic Industries Ltd in Keraniganj on December 11. Firefighters recovered a body from the spot while others succumbed to their injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Nazrul Islam, owner of the factory, was sued by a victim's brother.
