Tourist bus plunges into ravine in Bandarban, at least 20 injured

A tourist bus lost control and plunged into a hilly ravine in Bandarban, injuring at least 20 people. The accident occurred around 5:30 am on Sunday, March 22, in the Suwalok union of Sadar upazila, north of Bandarban University.

According to local sources, the bus of Saudia Transport, which had left Dhaka, lost control on a hilly road and fell into a ravine. After the accident, announcements were made through loudspeakers at the Suwalok Central Jame Mosque calling on locals to come forward for rescue operations. Residents quickly reached the scene and rescued the injured, sending them to Bandarban Sadar Hospital.

Police and fire service members also arrived at the scene and joined the rescue efforts. The bus was carrying a total of 43 passengers, including the driver, supervisor and helper, most of whom were travelling to Bandarban for tourism.

Dr Dhiman Das, a physician in the emergency department of Bandarban Sadar Hospital, said four of the injured were in critical condition. After providing primary treatment, they were sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for advanced care.

Bandarban Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Shahed Parvez said 20 tourists among the 40 passengers on the bus that had arrived from Dhaka were injured.