At least 14 people were killed and 32 others injured in a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a sand-laden truck in Baraigram upazila of Natore early Tuesday.

The accident occurred in the Sarkarpara area on the Natore-Pabna highway around 4:30 am.

According to police and fire service sources, an RP Paribahan bus collided head-on with the truck, killing nine people on the spot. Five other victims died after being taken to hospital.

The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.

Police and firefighters launched a rescue operation, recovering the bodies and sending them to Natore Sadar Hospital.

The injured were taken to local clinics and hospitals, with several critically injured victims referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Akhtar Hossain, station officer of Natore Fire Service, confirmed the incident.