Five traders from Zajira upazila of Shariatpur were among the 14 people who were killed in a head-on collision between a bus and a sand-laden truck in Natore early Tuesday while they were heading towards Rajshahi to buy agricultural products.
The five deceased were as Jewel Madbar, 35, son of Zahir Uddin Madbar of Ramkrishnapur Madbarkandi village, Salal Mollah, 38, son of Jahan Uddin Mollah of Dubisayar Mollakandi, Sohag Shikder, 32, son of Yunus Shikder of Dubisayar Kazirhat, Samad Fakir, 45, a wholesale goods trader from Kazirhat and Shahin Bepari, 30, son of Razzak Bepari of Kathuria village under Palerchar Union.
They were heading to Taherpur wholesale market in Rajshahi to purchase maize, onions, garlic and various spices for their businesses.
Local sources said the five men had long been involved in trading agricultural products and other goods in Kazirhat and nearby markets in Zajira upazila.
They frequently travelled together to different markets to purchase merchandise.
News of the accident reached Jajira early Tuesday, triggering an outpouring of grief among the victims' relatives, friends and local residents.
Md Saleh Ahmed, Officer-in-Charge of Jajira Police Station said they learned about the accident through social media, but yet to receive an official communication from Natore district police or local highway authorities.
He said necessary legal procedures and cooperation regarding the handover of the bodies are underway.
