Lakshmipur, August 6 (V7N) – Seven people, including women and children, were killed early Wednesday morning when a microbus carrying a returning expatriate from Oman veered off the road and plunged into a canal in Begumganj upazila of Noakhali district.
 
The tragic accident occurred at dawn in the Purbo Jagadishpur area under Alaiyapur Union, along the Lakshmipur-Noakhali highway. Local authorities said the driver lost control of the vehicle near a bend, causing it to skid off the road and fall into a roadside canal, where passengers became trapped.
 
The victims have been identified as Fayjun Nesa (80), Khurshida Begum (55), Kabita Begum (30), Laboni Begum (30), Reshmi Akhter (10), Meem Akhter (2), and Lamia Akhter (9). All were residents of Paschim Choupali in Hajirpara Union under Chandraganj Police Station in Lakshmipur district.
 
According to officials from the Noakhali Fire Service, the microbus was traveling from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka to Lakshmipur, carrying family members who had gone to receive the returning expatriate.
 
Mozammel Haque, an officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence at the Chowmuhani station, confirmed the accident and said rescue operations were launched immediately. However, all seven passengers were pronounced dead at the scene. Local residents assisted in recovering the bodies before emergency services arrived.
 
Preliminary investigations suggest the driver may have been speeding or drowsy at the time of the accident. Authorities are continuing their inquiry to determine the exact cause.
 
The incident has plunged the victims' local community into mourning, with what was meant to be a joyful family reunion turning into a devastating tragedy.
 
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