A bus fell into a roadside ditch on Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Chauddagram end of Cumilla early Friday morning, killing five people and injuring 15 others, said police.
The double decker bus of ‘Relax Paribahan’ carrying several passengers was heading towards Cox’s Bazar from capital Dhaka, said Md Gias Uddin, In-Charge of Chauddagram highway police outpost.
It lost control on the highway before it plunged into the roadside ditch, he said.
Five people died on the spot and 15 others sustained severe injuries, the police officer said, adding that the injured were taken to Chauddagram Upazila Health Complex after members of highway police and Fire Service and Civil Defence rescued them.
“After the first aid, twelve of the injured were shifted to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for better treatment,” said the officer.
Identities of two of the dead had been confirmed.
They were Mohammad Hossain, 30, and Badrul Hasan Riad, 26. Hossain hailed from Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf while Bardul hailed from Chattogram’s Bashkhali.
All of the other victims were men as well. The five bodies inside the crashed vehicle were recovered with the help of police and locals, he said. Rescue efforts and ongoing, but authorities have not been able to identify the victims yet.
