The death toll from a devastating road accident on Wednesday in the Sajek area of Rangamati has risen to nine.
Abdul Awal Chowdhury, Senior Assistant Superintendent at Sajek Police Station, reported that five victims died at the scene, three others succumbed to their injuries en route to the hospital, and one more died while receiving treatment.
The victims identified so far include Abdul Mohon, 16, and Babu, 20, both from Kishoreganj, along with Sagar, 22, and Waliullah from Gazipur district.
The incident occurred when a dump truck carrying workers lost control and plunged into a 100 ft ditch in the Udaipur ninety-degree area of Sajek, in Baghaichhari upazila. The truck was returning from construction work on a border road when the accident happened, according to Abdul Awal.
Shirin Akhtar, Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer, noted that the accident took place in the evening. Of the injured, three are currently receiving care at Khagrachhari Modern Hospital, while two have been transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has decided to provide a compensation of Tk 5 lakh to each of the family of the victims who lost their lives in an accident in Rangamat's Sajek.
The injured victims will be provided Tk 2 lakh.
Shireen Akhtar, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Baghaichhari upazila, said this while talking to reporters at the Khagrachhari Modern District Hospital on Thursday morning.
Upazila Administration will provide TK10,000 for transporting the bodies, she said.
Earlier on Thursday, police brought the bodies of 5 deceased from Sajek to Khagrachhari Modern District Hospital.
Abdul Awal Chowdhury, Additional Superintendent of Police of Baghaichhari Police Circle, informed that after the autopsy of the 9 deceased of Mro community the bodies will be handed over to the
families. Among the injured undergoing treatment at Khagrachhari Modern District Hospital, Ahir Uddin and his son Samiul have been transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment in the morning.
Currently, 4 people are undergoing treatment at Khagrachhari Modern District Hospital, said Ripal Bappi Chakma, Resident Medical Officer of the hospital.
On Wednesday, a truck carrying goods and labourers from Gazipur and other areas were heading to Udaypur to work in the border road construction project.
The truck lost control while descending from a steep mountain road known as 90 degree area and fell into a ditch, leaving five people dead on the spot.
Local residents rescued the injured and transported them to Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital.
Upon arrival, doctors on duty pronounced four people dead, while six others were admitted in critical condition.