A woman was killed and at least 20 passengers were injured after a local bus lost control and overturned into a roadside ditch in Sunamganj on Monday night.
The accident occurred at around 9.30pm on 24 August in the Janigaon area of Lakshanshree Union, along the Sunamganj-Sylhet regional highway, according to local residents and police.
The deceased was identified as 25-year-old Shyuli Rani, wife of Gobinda Das, a resident of Basantapur area in Dowarabazar upazila of Sunamganj district.
According to police and local sources, the bus was travelling from Sylhet to Sunamganj at the time of the accident. As it reached the Janigaon section of the regional highway, the driver apparently lost control of the vehicle. The bus then overturned and fell into a ditch beside the road.
The impact left several passengers injured and trapped inside the vehicle. Local residents rushed to the scene shortly after the crash and began rescue efforts. They broke the bus windows to reach passengers who were unable to get out on their own.
At least 20 injured passengers were subsequently taken to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital and Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for treatment. The extent of their injuries was not immediately disclosed.
Shyuli Rani, however, became trapped beneath the overturned bus and died at the scene. Fire Service personnel later arrived and recovered her body from inside the wreckage.
Following the recovery operation, her body was taken to the mortuary at Sunamganj Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination. Police said the body would be handed over to her family after the examination and completion of the necessary procedures.
Sunamganj Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ratan Sheikh confirmed the accident and the death. He said legal action would be taken in connection with the incident.
The accident has once again highlighted the risks faced by passengers travelling on regional highways, particularly when vehicles lose control at speed. Police are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash as part of the investigation, including how the bus lost control and whether any other factors contributed to the accident.
For the families of those travelling on the bus, the journey ended abruptly with one death and numerous injuries, while emergency responders and local residents worked to rescue those trapped in the overturned vehicle.
