COX'S BAZAR, July 27, 2026 (BSS) - Three people, including two sisters, were killed and two others injured in a head-on collision between a covered van and a CNG-run auto-rickshaw in Ramu upazila of the district on Monday afternoon.

The deceased were identified as Shahnaz Begum, 40, and Rubina Begum, 42, daughters of Jafar Alam of Harinmara area under Rajapalong Union in Ukhiya upazila of the district. The name of the third deceased could not be known immediately.

The accident occurred around 2.45pm at Madhyam Khuniapalong area under Khuniapalong Union on the Shaheed Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Highway, said Inspector Sukanta Chakraborty of Ramu Highway Crossing Police Station.

The injured were identified as Nur Ahmed, 45, and CNG driver Abdul Malek, 26, both residents of Chakbaitha area of Rajapalong. All the victims were passengers of the CNG-run auto-rickshaw.

Quoting local residents, Inspector Sukanta Chakraborty said a Cox's Bazar-bound covered van collided head-on with the CNG-run auto-rickshaw in Madhyam Khuniapalong area. The auto-rickshaw was completely mangled in the crash, leaving two passengers dead on the spot and three others injured, including the driver.

Local people rescued the injured and took them to Cox's Bazar District Sadar Hospital, where the on-duty doctor declared another person dead.

The driver and helper of the covered van fled the scene after the accident. Police seized both vehicles involved in the collision, the inspector added.

"The bodies of the deceased have been kept at Cox's Bazar District Sadar Hospital morgue. Legal action is underway in connection with the incident," police said.