Sirajganj: Three more people died in the head-on collision between two buses near the west link of Bangabandhu Bridge in Sirajganj in the early hours of Sunday, raising the toll to seventeen.

At least fifty more people were injured in the accident.

There are fears that death toll will rise. The victims’ identity could not be known immediately. 

A four member probe committee has been formed by the district administration over the accident. The committee has been asked to submit the report within three working days.

Bangabandhu Bridge west-side police officer in-charge Helal Uddin said the drivers of the buses and another 10 people died on the spot when a Bogra-bound bus from Chittagong and a Dhaka-bound bus from Syedpur collided head-on on the west-side highway of Bangabandhu Bridge at about 5:00am. The bridge authorities, fire service, and police were conducting a joint rescue operation when this report was filed.

The injured were taken to nearby clinics and hospitals.

Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner Billal Hossain, police superintendent Miraj Uddin Ahmed, Bangabandhu Bridge manager (traffic) Lieutenant Commodore Mujahid Uddin Muzahid Uddin visited the spot.

DC Billal Hossain has declared to give Tk 10,000 for carrying of the bodies to their homes. The treatment for the injured is being closely monitored, he added.