Child killed, 7 injured in Chattogram road accident
A five-year-old child was killed and seven others were injured after a passenger bus rear-ended a pickup van, causing it to overturn in Chattogram's Sitakunda upazila early this morning (26 April).
The accident occurred around 6am near the Chowdhury Bazar area of the Bashbaria union.
The deceased, Jakia Islam, was travelling with her family on the back of the pickup van at the time of the incident.
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Her parents, Jamal Uddin, 38, and Laiju Begum, 30, were among the injured, along with her brother Md Faisal, 14, grandmother Selina Begum, 60, aunt Rima Akhter, 28, cousin Sumaiya Akhter, 5, and the pickup van driver Md Raihan, 24.
Assistant Sub-Inspector Mintu Mia of the Highway Police confirmed that the pickup van had been recovered.
"However, the bus driver fled the scene following the accident. Legal action is currently underway," he said.
According to the Highway Police, Jamal Uddin, originally from Bhola, had recently secured employment at a private company in Chattogram Sadar and was relocating with his family and belongings in the pickup van.
The accident happened when a passenger bus attempted to overtake the van. During the manoeuvre, the bus struck the rear of the vehicle, causing it to lose control and overturn on the side of the highway. Jakia died on the spot.
Fire Service personnel rushed to the scene and rescued the injured, who were initially taken to Sitakunda Upazila Health Complex. They were later transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for further treatment.
