Head-on crash in Sunamganj claims three lives

A head-on collision between a bus and a CNG-powered autorickshaw in Sunamganj killed three autorickshaw passengers on Wednesday at around 1:45 pm. The accident occurred in the Bahadarpur area along the Sunamganj-Sylhet highway.

According to police, the crash caused a large crowd to gather, temporarily blocking traffic. Oishee Rani Pal (18), injured in the incident and daughter of Bhushan Pal from Lalarchar village, Sunamganj Sadar upazila, was admitted to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital.

The deceased were identified as Afsana Jahan Khushi, a second-year student at Shantiganj Textile Institute from Arpinnagar, Sunamganj city; Sneha Chakraborty (18), a student from Joykals, Shantiganj; and Shafiqul Islam (50) from Alipara.

Eyewitnesses reported that the bus, traveling from Sunamganj to Sylhet, veered into the opposite lane and collided with the oncoming CNG autorickshaw. Bus passenger Chhotan Sutra Das recounted that the bus suddenly braked and swerved to the road's edge in the Bahadarpur area. The driver then reversed, sped up, and ignored passengers’ questions before stopping at the Dirai Road intersection, where both driver and helper fled. Passengers later dispersed to their destinations.

Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Zakir Hossain confirmed that the bodies were sent to Sadar Hospital for autopsy, and the injured are receiving treatment. The bus has been impounded, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the driver and helper.