A passenger bus was set on fire in Cumilla’s Burichang upazila on Thursday afternoon following the death of a pedestrian who was run over on the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway.
The incident occurred in the Kabila area, while the bus was torched later at Korpai after locals intercepted it.
The deceased was identified as Sirajul Haque, 90, a resident of Mohichail area in Chandina upazila.
According to local sources, a bus of Ekota Paribahan hit Sirajul while he was crossing the road, killing him on the spot. After the accident, the bus attempted to flee, but locals set up barricades and managed to stop it in the Korpai area. Passengers were safely disembarked before the bus was set ablaze.
Personnel from the army, police of Mainamati Highway Crossing Police Station and a unit of the Fire Service rushed to the scene and brought the fire under control.
Officer-in-Charge of Mainamati Highway Police Station Abdul Mumin said the bus driver fled immediately after the accident. The burned bus was later recovered and taken to the police station.