Two killed as microbus hits auto-rickshaw while picking up passengers

Two people were killed and five injured when a microbus collided with a battery-operated auto-rickshaw on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway while it was picking up passengers.

The accident occurred on Wednesday morning, March 25, in front of Rajmahal Community Centre near BOC's crossing in Kaliyash union, Satkania upazila, Chattogram.

The deceased are Ranjit Dhar, 55, son of late Niranjan Dhar of Ward No. 2 of Dohajari municipality, and Babul De, 65, son of late Monindra De of the same area. The injured include Jerin Afroz, Dilip Mallik, Tiklu Biswas, Md Ihsan and Mashiur Rahman.

According to police and local sources, Ranjit Dhar and Babul De, along with several others, were waiting by the roadside for transport to head towards Dohajari. When a battery-operated auto-rickshaw stopped, they began boarding. At that moment, a microbus approaching from behind struck the auto-rickshaw with force. Both vehicles were thrown off the highway, and all passengers in the auto-rickshaw sustained severe injuries.

Locals rushed them to Dohajari Hospital. They were later referred to Chattogram Medical College (CMEC) Hospital for advanced treatment, where on-duty doctors declared Ranjit Dhar and Babul De dead. The other injured are undergoing treatment.

Dohajari Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Salahuddin Chowdhury said both vehicles involved in the accident have been seized and legal action is being taken in this regard.