Three people were killed in a head-on collision between a pickup van and a CNG-run auto-rickshaw in Moulvibazar early today.

The accident took place around 2:00am in the Shahpur Cinema Hall area at the end of Bhairabbazar in Sreemangal upazila, near the entrance to Moulvibazar on the Dhaka–Sylhet Regional Highway.

According to Officer-in-Charge Md Saiful Islam of Moulvibazar Model Police Station, the deceased were identified as auto-rickshaw driver Alinur and passengers Rubel Mia and Rehan Mia.

Police and local residents said the collision occurred when a Sreemangal-bound pickup van crashed into a CNG-run autorickshaw coming from the opposite direction.

Alinur and Rubel died on the spot, the OC said.

Upon receiving information, a unit of the fire service rushed to the scene. Passenger Rehan Mia was taken to Moulvibazar 250-bed Sadar General Hospital.

Arif Ahmed, a doctor in the emergency department at Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital, confirmed that Rehan died at the hospital.

Police said they recovered the bodies and sent them to the Sadar Hospital morgue for further procedures. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Meanwhile, the driver of the pickup van fled the scene after the accident, the OC added.