BNP leader killed, MP among 50 injured

GOPALGANJ, Nov 13: A BNP leader was killed and more than 50 people, including a lawmaker, were injured in a collision involving 10 vehicles at Boiritala Bus Stand in Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj on Friday.

The deceased was identified as Ilias Fakir, 45, member secretary of the Raghdi Union BNP in Muksudpur.

He was critically injured in the accident and taken to Dhaka for better treatment. He died while undergoing treatment around noon.

The accident occurred around 10:30am on the Dhaka-Barishal highway when a private car and a passenger bus collided near Boiritala Bus Stand.

According to witnesses, a Dolphin Paribahan bus rammed into the rear of a truck carrying paddy, causing it to lose control and hit vehicles ahead. The impact triggered a pile-up involving buses, battery-run three-wheelers, motorcycles and other vehicles.

The collision left at least 50 people injured, including a lawmaker whose car was badly damaged. The injured were taken to Muksudpur Upazila Health Complex and nearby clinics.

Officer-in-Charge of Muksudpur Police Station Abdullah Al Mamun said 20 to 25 critically injured people were sent to Faridpur Medical College Hospital and Bhanga Hospital.

Vehicular movement on the highway remained suspended for nearly an hour following the accident before returning to normal, he said.

The lawmaker expressed deep sorrow over Ilias Fakir's death and conveyed condolences to his bereaved family.