9 killed as locally modified vehicle overturns in Chapainawabganj

Nine people were killed and seven others injured when a Bhotbhoti, a locally modified vehicle, also carrying rice overturned and plunged into a roadside ditch in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj district early today.

Deputy Assistant Director of Shibganj Fire Service Mohammad Saber Ali told The Daily Star that the accident took place around 5:00am near Bhanga Bridge in Barikbazar area, killing eight people on the spot and injuring eight others.

One of the injured – Abdul Latif – succumbed on the way to Shibganj Upazila Health Complex, the fire official said.

All the victims were returning to their villages in Barikbazar with rice, which they got as labour charge after harvesting paddy in Naogaon district, he said.

Carrying people more than the vehicle's capacity, high speed and narrow roadare the main reason behind the accident, he added.

The injured were taken to Shibganj Upazila Health Complex from where they were shifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Additional Police Superintendent of Chapainawabganj Mahbub Alam said that police so far recovered the bodies of eight people who died on the spot.

They deceased are: Md Abdul Kashem, Md Babu, Md Tajamul, Md Mithun, Md Karim, Md Milu, Md Ataur and Ahad Ali.

They were residents of Baliadighi and Laughata villages.

Shakib Al Rabbi, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Shibganj, said they handed over the bodies of the eight deceased and gave TK 10,000 to each family, reports our Chapainawabganj correspondent.