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The accident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday (August 6) at Chandraganj East Bazar in Noakhali district.
The deceased have been identified as Foyzun Nesa (80), Khurshida Begum (55), Kabita Begum (30), Laboni Begum (30), Reshmi Akter (10), Mim Akter (2), and Lamia Akter (9). All the victims were residents of Pashchim Chaupali in Hajirpara Union, under Chandraganj Thana in Lakshmipur district.
According to sources, the microbus was carrying 11 passengers, including the driver. After the accident, the driver and three others managed to escape, while the seven passengers seated at the back of the vehicle lost their lives.
Local sources and police reported that the group had traveled to Dhaka to pick up an expatriate from Oman. They were returning to Lakshmipur in two vehicles—a private car and the ill-fated microbus—when the microbus lost control and fell into the canal, resulting in the deaths of seven passengers.
The Choumuhani Fire Station reported receiving news of the accident at 5:40 AM on Wednesday. A rescue team arrived at the scene by 6:05 AM and began recovery operations. One fire service unit was involved in the rescue efforts.
Police suspect that the driver may have fallen asleep, causing the vehicle to lose control and plunge into the canal. While some passengers managed to escape, seven others were trapped inside and perished.
Begumganj Model Thana’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Liton Dewan confirmed that the microbus has been recovered from the canal, and no additional bodies were found at the scene. The Oman expatriate is reported to be safe. Police are working to confirm the identities of the deceased.
