13 people die as truck collides with pick-up

At least 13 people died after a pick-up van collided head-on with a salt-laden truck on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway at Lohagara upazila's Jangalia in Chattogram.

Another seven people were injured in the accident, which took place around 9:40pm.

Only two people -- Jashim Uddin ,30, a local journalist, and his younger brother Belal Uddin, 28, from Lohagara -- were identified among the dead.

Jahedul Islam, a friend of Jashim, told The Daily Star that he saw him off around 9:00pm at a local kitchen market. Just 40 minutes later, he got the news of the accident and rushed to the spot where he saw his friend lying dead.

He said there is a sharp turn at Jangalia where many vehicles would get into such accidents.

The identity of the rest could not be known immediately, police said, adding that the casualties may see a hike.

Afrujul Haque Tutul, additional police superintendent in Chattogram district (south) police, told The Daily Star that at least 12 people died on the spot. The van was carrying day labourers to Cox's Bazar.

The salt-laden truck was coming from Cox's Bazar, Tutul said, adding that the injured were whisked off to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

Police seized the truck and arrested its driver, he added.