Four killed as bus crushes leguna in Cox's Bazar

Four passengers of a leguna (local impoverished vehicle) were killed and five others injured after a bus ran over it in Chakaria, Cox's Bazar. The accident occurred around 6:30 AM on Thursday on the Chattogram–Cox's Bazar highway in the Khutakhali Union of Chakaria.

Sub-Inspector Mohammad Shamsuzzaman of Malumghat Highway Police Station confirmed the details in the afternoon. The deceased have been identified as Md. Jasim Uddin (25), son of late Matiur Rahman of Segunbagicha village in Khutakhali, Chakaria; Md. Shahed (27), son of late Monjur Alam of Shiyapara in Fulchhari; Mohammad Rafiq (28), son of late Abul Kashem of Idgaon Upazila; and Md. Zia Bul Haque (25), son of Aminul Haque.

Police said that a bus of Lal-Sabuj Paribahan, which had set off from Noakhali Sadar, was heading to Cox's Bazar. Meanwhile, the leguna was carrying passengers from Idgaon towards Chakaria.

On the way, at the Baitul Mamur Jam-e Mosque area in Khutakhali Nayapara of the upazila, the bus crushed the leguna. Locals rescued the injured from the mangled leguna and took them to the Sadar Hospital and Malumghat Christian Memorial Hospital.

Among them, Shahed, Rafiq, and Zia Bul Haque died at Sadar Hospital. Jasim succumbed to his injuries at Malumghat Christian Memorial Hospital. The five injured are undergoing treatment at these hospitals.

Highway Police SI Shamsuzzaman said that the bodies have been handed over to the families after legal formalities. Both vehicles have been seized. Legal action is underway.