Jhalakati : At least eight people, including a couple, were killed and 25 others injured as a bus plunged into a roadside watery ditch at Bishwasbari area in Razapur upazila on Tuesday afternoon.

Witnesses said the accident took place at about 3:45pm when the driver of the Barisal-bound bus from Khulna lost his control over steering after one of the tyres deflated.

On information, police with the help of local people recovered the bodies and rescued the injured passengers.

Two of the dead were identified as Shaon Hossain, 35, and his wife Kulsum Begum, 28, of Patuakhali

The injured were sent to the upazila health complex.

Meanwhile, RMO of the health complex said all the seven died after being taken to the hospital.

Rescuers apprehended that the death toll may rise as many passengers are still trapped inside the accident ridden vehicle. 

Rescue operation is on till filing of this report at 5:45pm.

LY