Bangladesh today launched a toll-free national emergency helpline 999 for immediate needs in the case of any accident, crime, fire or ambulance.

For now, it will provide three types of emergency services:

-- Crime/abduction/accident/disaster-related

-- Fire service

-- Ambulance service

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son and her ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy officially inaugurated the service at Abdul Gani Road in Dhaka this morning.

The toll-free service will be open round the clock, Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque said while briefing journalists during the inaugural function.

The service can be availed even at zero-balance. The call centre, at Abdul Gani Road, is currently equipped with staff capable to handle 120 calls at a time.

“We also are working to link the call centre with the social media platforms so that people can get the service from it immediately,” the IGP said.

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Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan was also present at the programme.

The service was under test-run since 2015. Today, it was launched officially.