The accident occurred at around 4am on Saturday (7 November) on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Highway, shortly after the bus passed the Railbit area near Keranihat. Several of the injured passengers are reportedly in critical condition.
The bus was travelling from Burichang upazila in Cumilla to Cox’s Bazar. More than 50 people, including teachers and students from Bakshimail Sunnia Islamia Senior Madrasa in Burichang, were on board for an educational excursion to the coastal tourist destination.
Passengers travelling in another bus accompanying the same educational tour provided details of the incident.
The deceased have been identified as Sohana Afroz, 45, a teacher at the madrasa, and Israfil, 56. Both died while being taken to hospital following the accident.
Immediately after the bus plunged into the pond, local residents rushed to the scene to help rescue the passengers. Workers from a nearby brick kiln also joined the rescue operation, helping pull people out of the submerged vehicle.
The injured were subsequently taken to hospitals in Keranihat and different parts of Chattogram for treatment. The incident caused considerable distress among members of the educational tour, particularly as the group had been travelling together for what was intended to be a recreational and educational visit.
Officer-in-Charge of Dohazari Highway Police Station, Nurul Absar, confirmed the casualties and said the bus had lost control before falling into the roadside pond.
He said at least two people had died and 30 others had sustained injuries. As the accident occurred in the early hours of the morning, local residents initially took the lead in rescuing passengers and arranging their transportation to nearby hospitals. Highway police later arrived at the scene and joined the rescue operation.
According to the officer, the damaged bus has since been recovered from the pond. Legal proceedings are under way in connection with the accident.
Meanwhile, local residents have expressed concern over what they describe as a recent increase in road accidents along the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Highway. They believe the growing number of incidents highlights the need for urgent improvements to road infrastructure and traffic safety.
The highway is a major transport route connecting Chattogram with Cox’s Bazar, serving commuters, businesses and a large number of tourists travelling to the country’s popular coastal destination. Its importance has increased with the steady movement of passenger and commercial vehicles along the route.
Residents have called on the relevant authorities to expedite the proposed project to upgrade the highway into a six-lane road. They argue that faster implementation of the project is necessary to improve traffic management, reduce congestion and make journeys safer.
The latest accident has once again raised questions about road safety on this important highway. With two people dead and at least 30 injured, local residents are urging authorities to give greater priority to preventing accidents and ensuring safer travel for passengers.
