Azad, Lakshmipur Correspondent: Seven individuals lost their lives when a microbus traveling from Dhaka to Lakshmipur plunged into a canal in the Chandraganj region of Begumganj along the Lakshmipur and Noakhali regional highway.

The incident took place at 5:30 am on Wednesday (August 6). Reports indicate that all the victims were en route from Dhaka Airport to pick up a close family member.

Abdul Hamid, Assistant Director of the Noakhali Fire Service, confirmed the details of the tragedy.

The victims have been identified as Faizun Nesa (80), Khurshida Begum (55), Kabita Begum (30), Labani Begum (30), Reshmi Akhter (10), Meem Akhter (2), and Lamia Akhter (9). They were all members of the same family.

It has been reported that seven family members perished in the road accident while attempting to bring back Bahar Uddin, an expatriate from Oman. Their residence is located in the Chaupalli area of Uttar Joypur Union in Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila.

Md. Mobarak Hossain Bhuiyan, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Chandraganj Highway Police Station, confirmed the accident, stating, “We suspect the driver fell asleep, causing the vehicle to lose control and plunge into the canal. While some individuals managed to escape, seven were trapped inside and lost their lives. Before we received the news, locals took them to various hospitals, believing they were still alive.

“We are continuing the search for the bodies. The highway police have retrieved the vehicle involved in the incident and have secured it at the Chandraganj Highway Police Station in Lakshmipur.