DHAKA: President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday expressed their deep condolences over the deaths caused by a bus plunge into a roadside ditch in Faridpur.

Hasina's Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhury told the journalists that she prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved families.

The premier also asked the authorities concerned to ensure better treatment to the injured, Shameem added.

Earlier, a Patuakhali-bound passenger bus of Sonartori Paribahan hit a tree beside the road in Kaidubi area under Bhanga Upazila around 1:00am that lead the bus fell into a roadside ditch, killing 19 people on the spot and 26 others injured.

The injured were rushed to the Upazila Health Complex and Faridpur Medical College and Hospital (FMCH).

Three of them succumbed to their injuries on way to the Health Complex while three others died at FMCH, raising death toll to 25. Rest 18 injured were undergoing treatment at FMCH.

However, the injured bus passengers claimed that the accident occurred as the driver lost control over the steering due to reckless speed.

BDST: 1242 HRS, APR 9, 2015
HB/RS/SMS