At least three people, a child and two women, were killed in a road accident when a truck and a battery-run autorickshaw collided head on in the Debiganj upazila of Panchagarh district.
The incident took place on Thursday afternoon near the Pakuritola intersection on the Boda-Debiganj road.
The deceased have been identified as Shyamoli Rani (30), her niece Debsri Rani (7), and Barsha Rani (35). All three were residents of Jot Bhubonpara village under the Pamuli Union, Officer-in-Charge of Debiganj Police Station, Sohel Rana, confirmed the incident.
According to police and local sources, the victims were travelling with family members to Dangapara village in the Bhogdaburi Union of Domar upazila in Dinajpur to attend the funeral of a relative. While returning to Debiganj in a battery-powered autorickshaw, a fish-laden truck coming from the opposite direction struck the vehicle forcefully at the Pakuritola intersection, causing it to overturn and fall off the highway.
Shyamoli Rani, Debsri Rani, Barsha Rani, Ajay Kumar Roy, and Parbati Rani sustained serious injuries in the crash. Locals quickly rescued the injured and took them to Debiganj Upazila Health Complex. From there, Shyamoli, Debsri, and Barsha were referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital due to the severity of their injuries.
Shyamoli died on the way to Rangpur, while Debsri succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital. Barsha Rani, who was also transferred later, died while undergoing treatment. The condition of the remaining injured is reported to be stable.
Police are investigating the incident.