DHAKA: A man along with his nephew was killed and 45 others were injured after a passenger bus plunged into a roadside ditch in Khajulia area of Sadar upazila of the district Monday.

The deceased were identified as Ansar Sheikh, 70, and his nephew Mostafa Sheikh, 50, hailed from Botiaghata upazila of Khulna district.

Of the injured, some 22 were admitted to Kotalipara Health Complex. The death toll may rise as many of the injured were in critical condition.

Kotalipara Thana Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Latif and Sadar Thana OC Jakir Hossain told banglanews that a group of people from Ranjitrula village were going to Barisal for joining the Annual Mahfil of Charmonai Pir by four hired buses.

When the motorcade reached Kajulia area at 11:45am, a bus fell into a ditch as its driver lost control over the steering, leaving them on the spot and 45 others injured.

The bus was rescued, the police officers said.

BDST: 1556 HRS, FEB 23, 2015