5 killed in road mishaps in 2 districts 

RANGAMATI, BHOLA, Aug 16: Five people including a seven-year-old child were killed in separate road accidents in Rangamati and Bhola districts on Sunday.

In Rangamati, four people were killed when a pickup van carrying passengers lost control at Manikchhari on the outskirts of the district town around 5:30am.

Two others were injured and admitted to Rangamati General Hospital.

Kotwali Police Station (PS) Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Jasim Uddin confirmed the incident and said the deceased were identified as Meghrani Chakma, 45; Shantana Chakma, 38; Shanti Ranjan Chakma, 65; and Shova Chakma, 52.

The injured were identified as pickup driver Gyan Bikash Chakma, 50, and Sumon Chakma, 45.

Police and locals said the pickup was carrying passengers and goods to a weekly market from Kalyanpur in Rangamati town to Kutukchhari Bazar. When the vehicle reached an area in front of the Manikchhari Army Camp, the driver lost control, causing the pickup to skid off the road and overturn. Three people died on the spot.

Dr Abu Faisal, Emergency Medical Officer at Rangamati General Hospital, said three bodies were brought to the hospital. Two injured people were receiving treatment there, while another injured person was referred to Chattogram for better treatment.

OC Jasim Uddin said the bodies had been recovered and necessary measures had been taken for the treatment of the injured. Police also seized the damaged vehicle. The bodies will be handed over to the families after completion of the legal procedures.

On receiving the news of the accident, former Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan visited Rangamati General Hospital to see the deceased and injured. He also spoke to the relatives of the victims and assured them of necessary assistance.

In Bhola, a seven-year-old boy was crushed to death by an autorickshaw in Lalmohan Upazila on Sunday morning, said Lalmohan PS OC Md Oliul Islam.

He said the accident occurred in front of Paschim Charoumed Islamia Dakhil Madrasa in Ward No 8 of Charoumed Union.