Five people died today after a CNG auto rickshaw collided head on with a truck carrying LPG cylinders in the district town of Kushtia.

Officials said the truck lost control on the busy bypass road near Kushtia Filling Station around midday, slamming into the three-wheeler. Three passengers including the auto rickshaw driver died at the scene. Two others later died in hospital.

Police and Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence personnel launched a rescue operation shortly after the accident — recovering the bodies and clearing the wreckage.

The accident and subsequent rescue efforts forced the closure of the bypass for an extended period, causing long tailbacks before traffic flow was gradually restored.

Highway Police Inspector Joydeb confirmed the death toll, adding that the truck driver had fled. Both vehicles have been seized and efforts are underway to apprehend the truck driver, he said.