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The death toll from a collision between a passenger bus and a sand-laden truck in Natore has risen to 14, with at least 30 passengers injured.
The accident occurred around 4:30am on Tuesday on the Natore-Pabna highway in Sarkarpara, Baraigram upazila.
Nine people died at the scene, while five others succumbed to their injuries after being taken to hospital.
The injured and the bodies of the deceased were taken to Natore Sadar Hospital and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH). Eight injured passengers were admitted to RMCH for treatment.
Additional Superintendent of Police in Natore Iftekhar Alam confirmed the deaths, saying the bodies were kept at the morgue of Natore Hospital and arrangements had been made for the injured to receive treatment.
According to police, an RP Paribahan bus travelling from Barguna in Barishal to Rajshahi collided with a sand-laden truck heading towards Pabna when the vehicles reached the Sarkarpara area early in the morning.
Baraigram Upazila Nirbahi Officer Layla Jannatul Ferdous, who visited the scene, said investigators suspected the bus driver might have been driving while drowsy because the accident occurred early in the morning. She said a probe committee would be formed and warned that the death toll could rise because several people were seriously injured.
Authorities are working to identify the victims, while police and fire service personnel are investigating the incident.
National Parliament Whip and Natore-2 lawmaker Ruhul Quddus Talukdar Dulu also visited the scene. He said he would personally try to provide financial assistance to the families of those killed.
Noting that accidents occur frequently on the highway, he said he would discuss necessary road safety measures with responsible lawmakers and ministers to help prevent similar incidents.
