Pedestrian killed by long-march bus at Patkelghata on way back from Khulna, 30 injured as bus falls into ditch

A pedestrian named Abdul Khaleque Moral was killed after being run over by a bus carrying Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists returning from the 11-party unity long-march road meeting in Khulna, at Patkelghata in Satkhira. At the time, the bus fell into a roadside ditch, injuring at least 30 Jamaat leaders and activists.

The accident took place at around 8:30pm on Saturday (31 October) in the Charabattala area of the Khulna-Satkhira highway.

The deceased, Abdul Khaleque Moral (65), was the son of Aftab Moral of Kashi adanga village in Patkelghata.

The victim's neighbour, Ripon Molla, said Jamaat leaders and activists were returning to Satkhira after finishing the long-march programme in Khulna. On the way, at Charabattala intersection, the bus ran over pedestrian Abdul Khaleque while he was crossing the road. Abdul Khaleque Moral died on the spot.

Ripon Molla said Abdul Khaleque was somewhat mentally unbalanced. After running him over, the bus fell into a ditch beside the road, injuring a number of Jamaat leaders and activists.

Satkhira district Jamaat secretary general Azizur Rahman said: 'As the long-march vehicle was returning to Satkhira, the elderly man suddenly came in front of it. While trying to save him, our bus carrying leaders and activists fell into a ditch beside the road. At least 30 of our leaders and activists were injured. The elderly man also died. Local people told us he was mentally unbalanced.'

Patkelghata police station officer-in-charge (OC) Tofazzal Hossain said: 'Jamaat leaders and activists were returning from the long march by bus. An elderly man was killed after being run over by that bus. He was a pedestrian.'

OC Tofazzal Hossain said: 'The bus carrying Jamaat leaders and activists also fell into a ditch beside the road, injuring several people. The bus driver's condition is somewhat serious, while the others received minor injuries.'