7 members of same family killed as microbus crashes into canal in Bangladesh

By Mahbub Hasan Tutul | Dhaka, Bangladesh

A microbus carrying a family returning from the airport plunged into a roadside canal in southeastern Bangladesh early Wednesday, killing seven people, police said.

The accident occurred around 5:30 a.m. in Jagadishpur area of Begumganj sub-district in Noakhali, about 150 kilometers southeast of the capital, Dhaka.

The victims all from the same family had picked up Bahar Uddin, a migrant worker who had just returned from Oman, and were traveling home to Lakshmipur district, police said. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which slid off the road into a canal.
Police said the deceased included: Foyzun Nesa (80) Khurshida Begum (55) Kabita Begum(30),Laboni Begum(30),Reshmi (10) Lamia(9),Mim(2)

All were residents of West Choupalli village in Hajirpara Union of Lakshmipur.

Officer-in-Charge Mobarak Hossain Bhuiyan of Chandraganj Highway Police Station confirmed the incident. “We suspect the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel. He fled the scene after the crash,” Bhuiyan said. The microbus has been recovered and brought to the police station.

The bodies were released to their families after official procedures.

Traffic accidents are common in Bangladesh due to poor road conditions, reckless driving, and lack of enforcement of traffic laws.