The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Sylhet

Six persons were killed and 20 others injured when a bus and a tempo fell into roadside ditch at 19-mile in Osmaninagar upazila on Sylhet-Dhaka highway yesterday.

Three of the deceased were identified as Shyamol Benarjee, 40, of Manikpur village in Sunamganj district, Bokul Miah, 35, of Sittas village in Netokona district and Mokhles Miah, 40, security guard of Uttara Kallyan Society in Dhaka. Identity of three others was not immediately available.

Locals said the fatal accident occurred at about 5:15pm when the bus from Dhaka and the three-wheeler in their bid to avert head on collusion fell on the roadside ditch. All the six died on the spot.

The injured were admitted to the hospital. Police seized the vehicles.

A report from Bogra says: A bus with bridal party plunged into roadside canal with about 70 people at Kitrania, 55km northeast of Bogra town at about 8pm yesterday.

Three bodies of the sunken bus were rescued till 9-30pm. About 25 passengers including the bride and bridegroom were reported missing. Others were rescued or swam to safety.

Survivors said the bridal party of some 70 people including women and children was returning with bride from Baithabhanga to adjacent Birsaralia village through Gabtali-Sailakandi road. As the driver lost control over the steering the bus plunged into Sukhdah canal at Kirtania.

The bus was lying about 6 feet down the water. SOS was sent to Rajshahi Fire Brigade for rescue team.

Police and locals were making frantic efforts to salvage the bus believing that the missing persons were stuck up inside the vehicle.