Three activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami were killed and at least 40 others injured after a bus overturned following a collision with a truck in the northern city of Rajshahi, police and hospital officials said on Sunday.

The incident occurred around midnight on Kharkhari Bypass Road, in front of Barendra University, when two buses carrying Jamaat supporters collided with a sand-laden truck.

"One of the buses veered off the road and plunged into a roadside ditch after the collision, while the second bus rammed into the truck from behind," said a fire service official involved in the rescue operation.

The passengers were travelling from Ranihati Union in Chapainawabganj district to Pirojpur to visit the grave of former Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee.

The deceased were identified as Jewel Ahmed, 40, son of Sadiqul Islam, Nasim Uddin, 45, son of Belayet Hossain and Mizanur Rahman, 32, son of Jobdul Haque — all residents of Chapainawabganj.

Emergency responders from the Rajshahi Sadar Fire Service, police, and local residents rushed to the scene and took the injured to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH). 

Hospital authorities confirmed that three people succumbed to their injuries during treatment.

"At least 40 others were admitted with serious injuries," said Dr Shankar K Biswas, in charge of the emergency unit at RMCH. 

He also said: "The bodies have been kept at the hospital mortuary and will be handed over to families after completing legal formalities."

Jamaat’s Rajshahi Metropolitan Organising Secretary Jasim Uddin Sarkar said about 90 supporters from the party’s Ranihati Union unit were onboard the two buses.

Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.

BDST: 1254 HRS, APR 07, 2025
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