Two people were killed and at least 30 others injured after a passenger bus overturned in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur on Wednesday afternoon.

The accident occurred around 1:30pm in front of the CCPL petrol pump in the Suadi area on the Dhaka–Khulna highway.

Police and locals said a Dhaka-bound bus named Narail Express was attempting to enter the petrol pump for refuelling when a pickup van carrying chickens approached from the opposite direction. The bus lost control and overturned on the highway, leaving two people dead on the spot.

The deceased were identified as bus supervisor Shariful Islam and another passenger whose identity could not be immediately confirmed.

The injured were rescued and taken to Bhanga Upazila Health Complex. Of them, 10 critically injured passengers were referred to hospitals in Faridpur and Dhaka for advanced treatment.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident around 12:45pm, two buses collided head-on in the Koidubi area of Bhanga upazila on the Dhaka–Barisal highway, injuring at least 20 passengers.

A Dhaka-bound bus of Sakura Paribahan and a Barisal-bound bus of Unique Paribahan were involved in the collision. The injured were admitted to Bhanga Upazila Health Complex.

Sub-Inspector Mamun of Bhanga Highway Police Station said members of the fire service and highway police carried out rescue operations after receiving information. The vehicles involved were later taken to the highway police station.

Legal action is under process, police said.

A large number of people are travelling from Dhaka to their home districts ahead of the elections, increasing traffic pressure on the highways.