2 killed, 40 injured as bus plunges into pond in Satkania

Two people were killed and at least 40 others injured when a bus carrying madrasa teachers and students plunged into a roadside pond in Satkania upazila of Chattogram early Saturday.

The accident occurred around 4:00am on 7 November, shortly after the bus crossed the Railbit area near Keranihat on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway.

The bus was travelling to Cox’s Bazar from Burichang upazila of Cumilla with more than 50 passengers, including teachers and students of Bakshimool Sunnia Islamia Senior Madrasa. They were on an educational tour.

The deceased were identified as madrasa teacher Sohana Afroze, 45, and Ishrafil, 56. Several injured passengers are reportedly in critical condition.

Local residents and workers from a nearby brick kiln rushed to the scene and rescued passengers trapped inside the bus. Rescuers took the injured to hospitals in Keranihat and Chattogram. The two victims died on their way to hospital.

Nurul Absar, officer-in-charge of Dohazari Highway Police Station, said the bus plunged into the pond after its driver lost control.

He said at least 40 people sustained injuries and highway police later joined the rescue operation. Police have recovered the bus and are taking legal action over the incident.

Meanwhile, local residents expressed concern over the recent increase in road accidents on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway. They urged the authorities to expedite the project to upgrade the highway to six lanes.