The deceased were identified as Dubai expatriate Abdul Mannan, 40, and his elder brother Abul Kashem, 42 – natives of Monohorganj Upazila. The third victim is Rakib Hossain, 20, from Lakshmipur.
Microbus driver Nur Hossain Parvez said he had taken the passengers to airport from Monohorganj. “We were returning home after picking up Mannan. I lost control and rammed into a covered van parked near the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, killing the three on the spot,” he said.
Mannan’s wife Hasina Begum, 34, daughters Hafsa, Takia, Tahna, nephew Salauddin, 25, and Parvez were injured.
Inspector Monirul Islam, in-charge of Illiatganj Highway Police outpost, said the injured were initially taken to Chandina Upazila Health Complex. Two of them were sent Cumilla Medical College and Hospital as their conditions deteriorated.