16 dead in Bangladesh road accident

At least 16 people were killed and 25 injured when a passenger bus collided head-on with a truck carrying fruit in southern Bangladesh early today, police said.

At least 16 people were killed and 25 injured when a passenger bus collided head-on with a truck carrying fruit in southern Bangladesh early today, police said.

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The accident occurred when the bus tried to overtake another vehicle on a highway in Bagerhat district 150 kilometres (90 miles) south of capital Dhaka, local police chief Masud Alam told AFP.

"At least 16 passengers have died and another 25 are injured," Alam said, adding that some of the injured were in hospital in a critical condition.

Road accidents are common in Bangladesh and kill thousands of people a year. Shoddy highways, poorly maintained vehicles and drivers' disregard for road safety are blamed for most accidents.