Two people were killed and at least 20 others injured when a passenger bus overturned while descending a steep hill in the Sapmara area of Matiranga upazila in Khagrachhari on Friday morning.
The victims were identified as Abdur Razzak and Anil Chakma, both residents of Kabakhali area in Dighinala.
According to Matiranga Circle Assistant Superintendent of Police Kazi Wazed Ali, a Chattogram-bound Shanti Paribahan bus lost control and overturned on the roadside while coming down the Sapmara hill in Alutila around 10:30am.
Army personnel, police, and local residents rushed to the scene to rescue the injured and recover the bodies.
Several of the injured were taken to the Matiranga Upazila Health Complex, while others were transferred to the Khagrachhari Modern District Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment.
Among those receiving treatment at Khagrachhari Hospital are Md Raidul Islam, 30, Md Ataur Rahman, 61, Shahana Begum, 50, Suparna Chakma, 3, Rehana Chakma, 30, and Moni Chakma, 18.
Md Shahidul Islam, Line Controller of the Khagrachhari Road Transport Owners' Group, said the bus was traveling from Baghaihat to Chattogram with around 40 passengers on board. “About 13 to 14 passengers sustained serious injuries. With the support of the administration and locals, all the injured were quickly rescued and taken to hospitals,” he said.
Dr Jaya Tripura, the on-duty physician at Khagrachhari Modern District Sadar Hospital, confirmed that six patients had been admitted so far. “All are under treatment. While most have visible injuries, none are currently in critical condition,” she said.
Police said the process of recovering the bus and clearing the road was underway. An investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the accident.
