Child Killed, 50 Injured in Cox’s Bazar Bus Collision

A fatal head-on collision between two passenger buses on the Cox’s Bazar-Chittagong Highway in Chakaria Upazila has resulted in the death of a child at the scene and left at least 50 others injured. The accident transpired on Monday, 8 June, at approximately 2:15 pm at the Medakachhapia Dhala area under Khutakhali Union in Chakaria. Emergency responders have transferred the injured victims to various medical facilities, including hospitals in Malumghat and Chakaria. According to police statements, several passengers—including women, drivers, and transport assistants—are currently in critical condition.

Incident Dynamics and Severe Damage

According to law enforcement officials citing eyewitness accounts, the collision involved a Cox’s Bazar-bound luxury air-conditioned (AC) coach operated by ‘Evergreen’ and a local minibus operated by ‘Chakaria Service’. The two vehicles collided head-on with immense force, causing catastrophic damage to both transports.

The impact completely mangled the ‘Chakaria Service’ minibus, severing its roof from the chassis. The roof was thrown onto the main carriageway, whilst the lower body of the vehicle was deflected onto the footpath on the western side of the highway. Concurrently, the ‘Evergreen’ coach sustained severe frontal damage, with its nose resting on the eastern side of the road and its main body blocking the highway. The positioning of the wreckage completely obstructed the flow of traffic on this major transport artery.

Emergency Response and Medical Admission

Following the collision, local residents and passers-by immediately initiated primary rescue efforts before formal emergency services arrived. Upon receiving the report, personnel from the Malumghat Highway Police Station rushed to the scene to secure the area and manage the casualties.

The injured individuals were systematically evacuated from the wreckage and transported to nearby healthcare facilities. A significant number of casualties were admitted to hospitals in the Chakaria and Malumghat areas. Medical reports and police assessments indicate that the drivers and helpers of both vehicles, alongside a number of female passengers, sustained life-threatening injuries. The identities of the deceased child and the injured passengers could not be verified immediately following the incident.

Accident Overview

Police Statement and Traffic Management

Mahbub, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Malumghat Highway Police Station, confirmed the details of the fatal accident. He stated that a child had died on impact and a high number of passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries. He noted that both commercial vehicles had suffered extensive structural damage.

OC Mahbub further explained that upon receiving notification of the crash, police teams immediately launched a structured rescue operation. In addition to ensuring the prompt transport of victims to hospitals, the police initiated efforts to clear the heavily damaged vehicles from the highway using specialized equipment. This measure was vital to restoring the normal flow of traffic on the Cox’s Bazar-Chittagong Highway. The Officer-in-Charge concluded that comprehensive details regarding the identities of the victims and the precise cause of the accident would be provided at a later stage following further investigation.