2 killed, 15 hurt as bus catches fire in Cumilla

Two people were killed and 15 others injured as a bus caught fire on Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Cumilla's Daudkandi yesterday evening.

The incident happened when the bus heading for Chandpur's Matlab from Dhaka reached Gouripur bus stand area around 6:30pm, said Jahirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Daudkandi highway police.

Locals said the fire might have originated from the gas cylinder of the bus.

The deceased were Rakibul, 70, of Daudkandi upazila, and his two-and-a-half-year-old Shafin.

Nine critically injured were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, while two others were undergoing treatment at Daudkandi Upazila Health Complex.

Jamal Uddin, doctor of the health complex, said condition of the injured were critical.

Locals and firefighters doused the fire.

Aminul Islam, assistant superintendent of highway police (Cumilla circle), said this incident caused huge traffic jam on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.