At least seven day labourers were killed and 15 others injured after a passenger bus lost control and ploughed into a group of workers waiting by the roadside for work in Bogra's Erulia area early Friday.
The accident occurred around 5:30am in the Silkibandha area of Bogra Sadar, Bogra Additional Superintendent of Police (Media) Ataur Rahman said.
According to police and eyewitnesses, a Shah Fateh Ali Paribahan bus travelling from Dhaka to Naogaon skidded on the rain-soaked Bogra–Naogaon highway, hit an electric pole and then rammed into the labourers.
Three workers died at the scene, while four others later succumbed to their injuries at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital. Fire Service and Civil Defence personnel, assisted by locals, rescued the injured and took them to the hospital. Several of the injured remain in critical condition.
The deceased identified so far are Amirul Islam and Nur Alam of Gobindaganj in Gaibandha, Belal Hossain of Fapor in Bogra Sadar, and Tajmul of Joypurhat.
The crash sparked protests, with day labourers and local residents blocking the Bogra–Naogaon highway and demanding the construction of a speed breaker at the accident-prone site.
Local farmer Mizanur Rahman said accidents occur frequently in the Silkibandha area, making a speed breaker essential.
Erulia Union Parishad Chairman Atikur Rahman Atik said the area has seen repeated road crashes and that public anger intensified following Friday's deadly accident. He said discussions with the administration were underway and the blockade would be lifted once work on the speed breaker begins.