At least 16 killed, over 50 hurt in Bangladesh road accident

Dhaka: At least 16 people were killed and over 50 others injured today in a major head-on collision between two passenger buses in northern Bangladesh.

The incident took place at the west side of Bangabandhu Bridge in Sirajganj district, around 125 kms from here, in the wee hours when a Rangpur-bound bus from Chittagong collided with a Dhaka-bound bus from Gaibandha area.

Soon after the accident, fire brigade, ambulances and police were rushed to the spot to carry out rescue and relief operations.

Among those killed, 12 people died on the spot including both the bus drivers while four others succumbed to injuries on way their way to hospital. All the injured were rushed to different nearby hospitals.

Meanwhile, an inquiry was initiated by the authorities.

"A four-member committee has been set up to investigate the accident and directed to submit their findings within three days," Deputy Commissioner Billal Hossain was quoted as saying by bdnews24.Com.

The families of those killed would be given 10,000 Taka (USD 129), he said

Superintendent of Police Miraj Uddin Ahammed said Rangpur- bound bus from Chittagong was driving on the wrong side which caused the mishap.

Both buses have been seized, he said.