At least 17 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in a tragic bus accident in southwestern Bangladesh. The incident occurred in the Jhalakathi district when a bus carrying over 60 passengers veered off the road and rolled into a large roadside pond. The driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle while giving way to an auto rickshaw.

As a result of heavy monsoon rains, the pond was filled with water, making the rescue operation challenging. Rescue teams were able to retrieve 17 bodies from the submerged bus, but authorities fear that more bodies may be trapped inside.

Among the deceased are eight women and three children. Twenty other passengers are currently being treated at a local hospital. Survivors of the accident have blamed the bus driver's carelessness and overcrowding for the tragedy.

Witnesses claim that the driver was not attentive and was constantly talking to his assistant, even encouraging him to bring more passengers onboard. This unfortunate incident has prompted the closure of the Khulna-Jhalakathi highway, causing a major traffic jam.

Efforts are underway to retrieve the bus from the pond and investigate the exact cause of the accident. Bus accidents in Bangladesh have been alarmingly common, with the Road Safety Foundation reporting a total of 559 accidents in June alone. These accidents resulted in the death of 562 people and left 812 injured.

The government is under pressure to address the issue of road safety and enforce stricter regulations to prevent such tragic accidents. The high number of casualties, particularly among motorcycles and pedestrians, highlights the urgency of implementing effective measures. The authorities must prioritize the safety of commuters and take swift action to prevent further loss of lives on the roads.