Mayor Pledges To Boost Fire Infrastructure On National Fire Service Day Nagpur: In a significant step toward enhancing emergency response capabilities, Mayor Nita Thakre emphasized the need to modernize and expand the city’s fire and emergency services department during a National Fire Service Day event organized by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Speaking at the ceremony held at the NMC headquarters, Thakre highlighted the challenges posed by the city’s rapid urbanization and the necessity of strengthening infrastructure to ensure timely and effective disaster management. The event, which coincided with the annual observance of National Fire Service Day, brought together civic officials, firefighters, and community representatives to commemorate the bravery of emergency responders. Thakre announced a comprehensive master plan to establish 22 fire stations across Nagpur, a move aimed at reducing response times and improving coverage in underserved areas. Currently, the city operates 12 fire stations, managed by a workforce of 120 personnel, far below the sanctioned strength of 872. The mayor underscored the urgency of addressing manpower shortages through fresh recruitment, stating that a robust fire department is critical to safeguarding public safety amid the city’s growing population and infrastructure demands. She also acknowledged the sacrifices of firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty, vowing to honor their legacy by investing in better resources and training. The ceremony featured a range of activities, including a floral tribute to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on his birth anniversary, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial dedicated to fallen firefighters.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #fire_service #national_fire_service_day #mayor_nita_thakre #nmc_headquarters
Bus Plunges into River During Ferry Boarding in Bangladesh, Killing 24 A passenger bus carrying approximately 40 people crashed into the Padma River while attempting to board a ferry in Bangladesh, resulting in at least 24 fatalities, officials reported. The incident occurred on Wednesday near Daulatdia in Rajbari district, about 100 kilometers from Dhaka. The vehicle lost control as it approached the ferry, overturned, and sank nearly 30 feet into the river, according to police and the Fire Service and Civil Defence. Rescue teams recovered 22 bodies from the submerged bus, including six men, 11 women, and five children, said Fire Service official Talha Bin Zasim. Two additional victims died after being rescued, bringing the confirmed death toll to 24. Search and rescue operations, led by four fire service units and 10 divers, were supported by the army, police, coast guard, and local authorities. Officials expressed concern that more passengers may still be missing. The accident highlights the ongoing challenges of road and ferry safety in Bangladesh, where hundreds of lives are lost annually in such incidents. The Padma River, a major waterway, has been a site of previous tragedies, underscoring the risks faced by commuters relying on these transport routes. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the crash, but the location near a ferry terminal suggests the accident may have occurred during the process of boarding the vessel. The incident has prompted calls for improved safety measures and infrastructure to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The victims’ families, including relatives who gathered at a mortuary in Rajbari, have been left devastated by the loss.#bangladesh #padma_river #rajbari_district #daulatdia #fire_service
