At least five people were killed in a head-on collision between a bus and a microbus in Chakaria upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday morning.

The fatal accident occurred around 11am on the Cox’s Bazar–Chattogram highway in the Malumghat area, said Malumghat Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mehedi Hasan.

He said the collision took place when a Cox’s Bazar-bound microbus collided head-on with a bus coming from the opposite direction. “Two people died on the spot, while three others, who were critically injured, were taken to a local hospital where doctors declared them dead,” the OC added.

The identities of the deceased could not be confirmed immediately.

Police said efforts were underway to identify the victims and remove the damaged vehicles to restore normal traffic on the highway.