Three of the dead were identified as Abdul Haque, 22, Swapan, 40, and Dipankar, 23. Identity of the remaining three could not be known.

Police and witnesses said the accident occurred at noon when a Laxmipur-bound bus from Chittagong collided head-on with a Choumuhani-bound bus near Bangla Bazar under Begumganj upazila, killing two--Abdul Haque and Swapan--on the spot and injuring 44 other passengers.

The injured were admitted to Noakhali General Hospital and other hospitals and clinics. Of them, four passengers, including Dipankar, died at General Hospital after admission.

"Condition of four others is critical," said hospital sources quoting an attending doctor.

Police recovered the bodies and sent them to the hospital morgue for autopsy.