At least 14 people, including a newlywed couple, were killed in a head-on collision between a microbus and a Bangladesh Navy bus in the Belai Bridge area of Rampal upazila in Bagerhat on Thursday afternoon.
Among the deceased were the groom, Sabbir, his brother, two sisters-in-law, three nephews and nieces, his mother, and grandmother — a total of 10 members from the groom’s family. The victims also included the bride, Marzia Akter, her sister Lamia, and her grandmother. The driver of the microbus was also reported dead.
According to Sub-Inspector Md Hasan of Katakhali Highway Police Station, the accident occurred in the afternoon when a microbus carrying the wedding passengers was traveling from Koyra to Mongla.
After crossing Belai Bridge in Rampal, the microbus was descending the slope of the bridge when a Bangladesh Navy bus coming from the opposite direction was entering the bridge. At that moment, the navy bus reportedly lost control and collided head-on with the microbus.
All passengers of the microbus were injured in the crash. The front portions of both vehicles were severely damaged.
The injured were initially taken to Rampal Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Khulna Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
Hospital sources said eight bodies were taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital, while four were kept at Rampal Upazila Health Complex. Several injured victims were also referred to Khulna Medical College Hospital.
Earlier, Dr Mehnaz Mosharraf, a medical officer at Khulna Medical College Hospital, confirmed to the Dhaka Tribune that eight victims, including a child, were brought to the hospital dead.
“They were brought in dead following the road accident,” she said.
Rampal Upazila Health Complex Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Sukanta Kumar Pal confirmed that four other people died in the same incident, adding that the death toll may rise.
Marzia Akter’s maternal uncle Abu Taher said the bride’s wedding ceremony had taken place earlier on Thursday in Naksha area of Koyra upazila. The victims were traveling by microbus to Shelabunia in Mongla when the accident occurred near Rampal.
Khorshed Alam, senior joint convener of Mongla municipal BNP said the groom, Sabbir, was the younger son of Abdur Razzak, president of Ward 8 of Mongla municipal BNP.
Officer-in-Charge of Katakhali Highway Police Station Md Zafar Ahmed said said all the victims were passengers of the microbus. Four people, including three women, died at the scene.
Local residents rescued several injured passengers from the vehicle and sent them to nearby hospitals.
