Two people were killed and at least 20 others injured when a passenger bus overturned while descending a hill in the Sapmara area of Khagrachhari’s Matiranga upazila on Friday morning.

The deceased were identified as Abdur Razzak and Anil Chakma, residents of the Kabakhali area in Dighinala.

A Chattogram-bound Shanti Paribahan bus lost control and overturned on the side of the road while going down the Sapmara hill in Alutila around 10:30 am, said Matiranga Circle Assistant Superintendent of Police Kazi Wazed Ali.

Upon receiving the information, army personnel, police, and local residents rushed to the spot and helped rescue the injured, he added.

Some of the injured were admitted to the Matiranga Upazila Health Complex, while others were taken to Khagrachhari Modern District Sadar Hospital.

The injured undergoing treatment at Khagrachhari Modern District Sadar Hospital include Md Raidul Islam, 30, Md Ataur Rahman, 61, Shahana Begum, 50, Suparna Chakma, 3, Rehana Chakma, 30, and Moni Chakma, 18.

Md Shahidul Islam, Line Controller of the Khagrachhari Road Transport Owners’ Group, said the Shanti Paribahan bus was travelling from Baghaihat to Chattogram with approximately 40 passengers on board. Thirteen to fourteen of them were seriously injured. With the help of the administration and locals, the injured were quickly rescued and taken to hospital, he added.

Dr Jaya Tripura, on-duty physician at Khagrachhari Modern District Sadar Hospital, confirmed that six injured individuals had been admitted so far. “All of them are under treatment. Although most have visible injuries, none are in critical condition,” she said.