At least 12 people were killed and 25 others injured after a truck ran through several vehicles, including an auto-rickshaw and a private car, before plunging into a roadside ditch near Gabkhan Bridge in Jhalakathi municipality area on Wednesday afternoon.
The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.
Jhalakathi Superintendent of Police Afruzul Haque Tutul confirmed the accident.
Photo: Collected
Shafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said that the accident occurred around 1:30 pm when the truck ploughed through ten vehicles, including an auto-rickshaw and a private car, standing in front of the toll gate.
It then plunged into the roadside ditch, leaving six people died on the spot and 25 others injured.
It is initially believed that the truck driver lost control over his vehicle due to a brake failure, the OC added.
The OC said that six others were declared dead after being taken to Jhalakathi Sadar Hospital.
Being informed members of fire service and police reached to the spot and are engaged in rescue operation. The injured were taken to different hospitals in the area. Sources said that the number of casualties may increase.
