5 dead as bus plunges into roadside ditch in Cumilla

Bus accident. Representational image.

Cumilla, May 17 -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.

The identities of the victims couldn’t be known immediately, he added.

Road accidents are common in Bangladesh due to poor safety standards and infrastructure. - UNB