Woman killed, 7 injured in pile-up in Sitakunda

A woman was killed and at least seven others were injured in a chain-reaction collision involving a passenger bus, a private vehicle and a stone-laden truck on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram last night (31 May).

The accident occurred around 9:30pm at Barabkunda Bazar when a Noah microbus suddenly applied brakes on the highway. A Saudia Paribahan bus travelling behind it collided with the vehicle. Moments later, a speeding stone-laden truck rammed into the rear of the bus, causing the vehicles to overturn.

The deceased was identified as Zaria Begum, a resident of the Cherangbari area under Madhyam Mahmudabad in Sitakunda.

"The truck was travelling at high speed and failed to maintain control after hitting the bus. It veered off the road and crashed into roadside shops," Sub-Inspector Milton Das of Baroawlia Highway Police Station told The Business Standard.

He said Zaria Begum, who was walking beside the road at the time, was struck by the out-of-control truck and sustained critical injuries. She was rushed to Sitakunda Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared her dead.

At least seven passengers travelling in the vehicles were also injured in the accident. They were taken to different hospitals and clinics for treatment, SI Milton said.

Law enforcement officials seized the Noah microbus and the Saudia bus following the incident. The stone-laden truck remained at the crash site for several hours as it was carrying a full load of stones, making recovery operations difficult.

Police said no one had been arrested in connection with the accident as the drivers of the vehicles fled the scene immediately afterwards.

A case was filed last night (31 May) by the victim's husband, Jahurul Alam, with Baroawlia Highway Police Station.

Police said an investigation is underway and efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible.