A pedestrian was killed and at least 30 Jamaat-e-Islami activists were injured after a bus carrying them struck the man and plunged into a roadside ditch in Patkelghata, Satkhira.
The accident occurred around 8:30pm on Saturday in the Charabotola area of the Khulna-Satkhira highway, as the activists were returning from a road march organised by the 11-party alliance in Khulna.
The deceased, Abdul Khalek Mollah, 65, was the son of Aftab Mollah of Kashiadanga village in Patkelghata.
Ripon Molla, a neighbour of the deceased, said the bus was returning to Satkhira after the Jamaat activists attended the road march in Khulna. As Abdul Khalek was crossing the road near Charabotola intersection, the bus ran him over, killing him on the spot.
The bus then plunged into a roadside ditch, injuring several passengers. Ripon said the deceased had some mental health issues.
Satkhira Jamaat Secretary General Azizur Rahman said the elderly man suddenly came in front of the bus as it was returning from the road march.
"While trying to save him, the bus carrying our leaders and activists veered off the road and plunged into a roadside ditch, injuring at least 30 activists. The elderly man also died." he said.
Officer-in-Charge of Patkelghata Police Station Toffazzel Hossain said the pedestrian was killed after being hit by the bus carrying Jamaat activists.
He said several passengers were also injured when the bus fell into the ditch. The driver was in critical condition, while the others sustained minor injuries.