At least five people, including four members of the same family, were killed when a bus belonging to Starline Paribahan hit a private car on the Dhaka–Chittagong Highway in Cumilla's Burichang upazila on Thursday evening.
The incident occurred around 6:00 pm near Miami Hotel in the Kalakchua area.
The deceased were identified as car driver Jamal Hossain, 52, from Barishal, car passengers Mufti Abdul Momin, 50, a religious teacher from Chatarpaiya in Noakhali district, his wife Jharna Begum, 40, their daughter Labiba, 19, and son Sayeed Ashraf, 7.
Eyewitnesses said that the bus, traveling from Dhaka to Feni, hit the private car with significant force, leaving its driver Jamal dead and four others critically injured on the spot.
Locals rescued the injured and took them to Eastern Medical College Hospital where on duty-doctors declared Momin, his wife Jharna, and their daughter Labiba dead.
Their son Sayeed Ashraf was referred to Cumilla Medical College Hospital as his health deteriorated.
He, however, succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital.
Confirming the matter, Maynamati Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Md Abdul Momin said that police seized both the bus and the private car.
They were looking into the matter, the OC added.
Jahid Patowary/MHK