Dhaka, 01 November (H.S.): A pedestrian was killed and at least 30 workers of Jamaat-e-Islami were injured after a bus carrying them plunged into a roadside ditch in Patkelghata, Satkhira, in the south-western part of Bangladesh.

The accident occurred at around 8:30 pm on Saturday in the Charabotola area of the Khulna-Satkhira highway. The workers were returning from Khulna after participating in a road march organised by the 11-party alliance.

According to a report by the Dhaka Tribune, the deceased was identified as 65-year-old Abdul Khalek Mollah, a resident of Kashiadanga village in Patkelghata. His neighbour, Ripon Molla, said the Jamaat-e-Islami workers were travelling back to Satkhira by bus after attending the road march in Khulna. Abdul Khalek was crossing the road near the Charabotola intersection when the bus struck him, killing him on the spot. The bus subsequently veered off the road and plunged into a roadside ditch.

Satkhira Jamaat Secretary General Azizur Rahman said the elderly man suddenly came in front of the bus as it was returning from the road march.

While trying to save him, the bus carrying our leaders and workers went off the road and plunged into a roadside ditch, injuring at least 30 workers. The elderly man also died, he said.

Patkelghata Police Station Officer-in-Charge Toffazzel Hossain confirmed the accident. He said the bus driver was in critical condition, while the other passengers had sustained minor injuries.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar