National

5 killed as covered van crashes into auto-rickshaw

Five people, including three women, were killed when a covered van crashed into a CNG-run auto-rickshaw in Kishoreganj on Monday morning.

The accident occurred on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway in the Jagannathpur area around 9:45 am. Two of the deceased were identified as the auto-rickshaw driver, Shahin, and its passenger, Razan.

According to local and police sources, two covered vans were heading towards Bhairab from Nilkuti in Narsingdi in the morning. At the same time, an auto-rickshaw was also heading towards Bhairab. When the two covered vans crossed the Jagannathpur Bridge in Bhairab, the auto-rickshaw attempted to overtake them and noticed another vehicle coming from the opposite direction. The auto-rickshaw then got caught between the two covered vans and collided with the front van. Afterward, the rear van hit the auto-rickshaw. As a result, two men and three women in the auto-rickshaw died on the spot.

Md. Saju Mia, Officer-in-Charge of Bhairab police station, said that five people were killed in the collision between the auto-rickshaw and the covered vans. The two covered vans were seized and taken to the police station. However, the drivers of the two vehicles are absconding. Necessary actions will be taken based on the complaints of the deceased's families.