Chandpur: Three people were killed and at least 18 others injured in a head-on collision between a bus and a sand-laden truck at Baniyacho in Shahrashti upazila of Chandpur on Tuesday morning. All three deceased were men, but their identities could not immediately be confirmed, stated Additional Superintendent of Police of Chandpur Lutfor Rahman.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the accident occurred around 8am when the Al-Arafah Paribahan bus attempted to overtake another vehicle and collided with the truck coming from the opposite direction, said witnesses. Officer-in-Charge of Shahrashti Police Station, Mir Mahbubur Rahman, reported that the Noakhali-to-Jashore-bound Al-Arafah Paribahan bus collided head-on with the sand-laden truck, which was approaching from the opposite direction.

The front portions of both vehicles were severely damaged in the collision, trapping several bus passengers inside. The injured were promptly taken to Shahrashti Upazila Health Complex for medical attention. Aklima Akter, health and family planning officer of Shahrashti Upazila, informed UNB that 18 injured individuals were brought to the hospital from the accident site. “They were given emergency treatment. Three of them were in critical condition and were referred to Cumilla Medical College Hospital after receiving initial treatment,” she said. The remaining injured are still receiving treatment at the hospital.

OC Mir Mahbubur Rahman confirmed that three bodies have been recovered from the scene so far, and the rescue operation is still ongoing.