Five Killed as Passenger Bus Falls Into Canal in Lakshmipur; Five Seriously Injured

PNN News Desk | Lakshmipur:

A passenger bus lost control and plunged into the Rehmatkhali Canal in front of Chandraganj Kafiluddin Degree College. The accident occurred on Saturday around 8:30 AM. Five bodies were initially recovered from the bus, while five of the injured are in critical condition. Police suspect that the death toll may rise.

Among the deceased, the identities of three have been confirmed: Morshed Alam and Zainal Abedin from Sheikhpur area of Chandraganj, and Humayun Rashid, son of Afsar Uddin from Naogaon. Later, two more people died while being taken to the hospital.

Police and eyewitnesses reported that the Anand Transport bus was traveling from Chaumuhani in Noakhali to Lakshmipur with 30–35 passengers on board. Following the accident, rescue operations began with the assistance of Chandraganj Police, Fire Service, Army personnel, and local residents. Twenty people were initially rescued alive and admitted to various hospitals.

Locals complained that the delay of divers and fire service personnel worsened the situation. The accident caused traffic jams on the Lakshmipur-Dhaka regional highway, halting movement for nearly an hour.

Chandraganj Police Station OC Md. Foyezul Azim Noman said that overspeeding is believed to be the main cause of the accident. He added that efforts are underway to recover the bus and determine the exact number of casualties.

Dr. Farid Uddin, supervisor at Noakhali General Hospital, confirmed that the bodies of the deceased have been brought to the hospital.