At least 16 people were killed and around 25 injured after a bus of ‘Emad Paribahan’ fell into a roadside ditch breaking a railing of Padma Bridge expressway in Madaripur’s Shibchar upazila on Sunday morning. The deceased could not be identified immediately.

Shibchar highway police OC Abu Nayeem Mohammad Mofazzel said quoting locals, ” A Dhaka-bound bus belonging to ‘Emad Paribahan’ fell into a roadside ditch in Kutubpur area losing control on the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga expressway at about 7:30am. The bus, later, got twisted. Till 8am, a total of 14 bodies were pulled out from the bus. Two others died on way to hospital.”

The death toll may rise, police officials further added.

Some injured were sent to different hospitals in Shibchar and critically ones were to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

Members of police and Fire Service and Civil Defence are continuing the rescue work.