Online Desk: At least 17 people were killed and many other injured as a bus plunged into a roadside pond at Chhottrokanda of Jhalakathi on Saturday morning.

The accident took place around 10.00am.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Jhalakati Sadar Thana Mohammad Nasir Uddin Sarkar confirmed the news.

The rescue operation is going on and the number of death toll may increase, he said.

The deceased could not be identified immediately.

According to police and locals, the bus was going to Barishal from Bhandaria in Pirojpur.  The bus plunged into a pond near Dhansiri Union Parishad as the driver lost control over it. Being informed, police and fire service men rushed to spot and started rescue operation.