8 workers killed in truck-pickup collision in Sylhet

SYLHET, May 3 (UNB): At least eight construction workers, including two women, were killed and 10 others injured in a head-on collision between a truck and a pickup van in South Surma upazila of Sylhet on Sunday morning.

The deceased were identified as Suruj Ali, 60, son of Fakhrul Ali, Munni, 26, daughter of Basir Mia, Faridul, 35, son of Nur Salam of Dirai upazila, Nargis, 45, wife of Idris Mia of Dharmapasha upazila, Azir Uddin, 40 of Bishwambharpur upazila in Sunamganj district, and Amiruddin, 35, Badrul Zaman, 40, son of Surut Ali, and Pandab Biswas, 20, son of Kutir Biswas of Companyganj upazila in Sylhet.

The accident occurred around 6:15am on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway in the Telibazar area.

According to locals, a pickup carrying 20-22 construction workers was heading towards Sunamganj from Sylhet when it collided with a truck loaded with jackfruits coming from the opposite direction.

Md Monjurul Alam, additional deputy commissioner (Media) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said the deceased include two women.

Four people died on the spot following the crash, while three others succumbed to their injuries at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital (SOMCH), he said, adding that another victim died while undergoing treatment at Sylhet Women's Medical College Hospital.

The injured were admitted to different hospitals.

Khadija, wife of deceased Badrul, who was travelling with him, survived with serious injuries.

The couple, both construction workers, had set out together for work as usual.

Family members said Badrul died on the spot after a construction mixer machine fell on him when the pickup overturned during the crash.

Brig Gen Umar Rashed Munir, director of SOMCH, said the injured are being provided with necessary medical care.

Police seized both vehicles involved in the accident. They also arrested the assistant of the truck driver while the trucker managed to flee.

Deputy Director of Sylhet Fire Service Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan said preliminary findings suggest the accident occurred as the  bus driver fell asleep at the steering.

Ashraful Islam, Officer-in-Charge of South Surma Police Station, said all the victims were construction workers and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Thirteen construction workers were killed and 13 others injured in a truck-pickup collision near Nazirbazar in South Surma upazila of the district on June 7, 2023.