Four Killed, Eight Injured in Chakaria Bus-Leguna Crash

Four people were killed and at least eight others injured when a passenger bus collided head-on with a leguna on the Cox’s Bazar–Chattogram highway in Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar, on Thursday morning.

The accident occurred at around 7am in the Khutakhali Nayapara area of Chakaria upazila, according to Sub-Inspector Shamsuzzaman of Malumghat Highway Police.

The deceased were identified as Mohammad Rafiq, 28, son of the late Abul Kashem of Eidgaon upazila; Mohammad Jiabul Haque, 25, son of Aminul Haque; Mohammad Jasim Uddin, 25, son of the late Matiur Rahman of Segunbagicha village in Khutakhali; and Mohammad Shahed, 27, son of the late Manjur Alam of Fulchhari Shiyapara.

According to police, a Lal-Shobuj Paribahan bus, registered as Dhaka Metro-B-15-8090, was travelling towards Cox’s Bazar after leaving Noakhali Sadar. When it reached the Khutakhali Nayapara area, it collided head-on with a numberless leguna travelling from Eidgaon towards Chakaria.

The impact was severe. The smaller vehicle was badly mangled in the collision, leaving its driver and passengers injured. Local residents rushed to the scene and helped rescue those trapped or injured before taking them to nearby medical facilities.

Several of the injured were taken to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, while others were admitted to Malumghat Christian Memorial Hospital. Jasim Uddin died while receiving treatment at the latter facility. Shahed, Rafiq and Jiabul Haque later died at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Among those injured are Jiabul Haque, 40, of New Office area in Eidgaon; Sarowar, 19, of Napitkhali; Syed Alam, 50; Delwar Hossain, 35, of Khutakhali; and Syed Karim, 30, of Teknaf. The first four were receiving treatment at Malumghat Christian Memorial Hospital, while Karim was being treated at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

The crash has once again drawn attention to road safety on the busy Cox’s Bazar–Chattogram highway, where passenger buses and smaller local vehicles frequently share the same routes. Head-on collisions can be particularly devastating when vehicles travelling in opposite directions meet at speed.

Police said the bodies were handed over to the respective families after completion of the required legal procedures. The bus and leguna involved in the accident have been seized.

Sub-Inspector Shamsuzzaman said legal proceedings were under way in connection with the incident. Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision, including the movement of both vehicles, before determining responsibility.