Eight construction workers killed in head-on collision between pickup and truck in Sylhet

Key facts

• Eight construction workers died in a head-on collision between a pickup van and a truck in Sylhet's South Surma area.
• The crash happened around 6:00 am on Sunday in the Telibazar area of South Surma.
• At least 12 others were injured, with several in critical condition.
• Four victims identified: Md Suruj Ali (60), Munni (35), Md Faridul (35), and Md Badrul (30).
• The pickup carried 20 workers and a concrete mixer; the truck was laden with jackfruit.
• Both drivers fled; police detained the truck's helper.
• Bodies are at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College morgue.

A deadly morning commute

Eight construction workers died and at least 12 others were injured when a pickup van collided head-on with a truck on the Sylhet-Dhaka highway in the Telibazar area of South Surma around 6:00 am on Sunday. The force of the impact threw all passengers from the vehicle, causing multiple casualties on the spot. Four people died instantly, and three more succumbed to their injuries after being taken to hospital; an eighth victim later died while making a comment, police said.

Workers en route to a building site

The victims were all construction laborers traveling from Ambarkhana in Sylhet to Lalabazar in South Surma to carry out concrete casting work at a building site. The pickup van carried 20 workers along with a concrete mixer machine. The truck, coming from the opposite direction, was loaded with jackfruit. The collision occurred as the pickup reached the Telibazar area.

Identified victims and their origins

Authorities have so far identified four of the deceased: Md Suruj Ali, 60, from Bhatipara in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj; Munni, 35, from Setti in the same upazila; Md Faridul, 35, from Nurnagar of Dirai; and Md Badrul, 30, from Lalargaon under Jalalabad thana in Sylhet. The remaining four victims are yet to be named. All were passengers in the pickup.

Police response and investigation

Officer-in-Charge of South Surma police station, Md Ashraful, confirmed that both vehicles remain at the scene and are being seized. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Sylhet metropolitan police, Md Monjurul Alam, said authorities are collecting the names and addresses of all victims. Sylhet Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (South) both drivers fled after the accident, but police have detained the truck’s helper. The bodies have been kept at the morgue of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College.

Injured and hospital treatment

Several of the injured told reporters they had been traveling in the pickup van. At least 12 people were injured, with some in critical condition receiving treatment at local hospitals. The exact number of injured varies slightly between police reports, with some sources citing nine injured. The injured are being treated at nearby medical facilities.

Broader context of road safety in Bangladesh

The accident highlights the persistent dangers faced by construction workers and other laborers who rely on overcrowded and often unsafe vehicles for daily commutes. Head-on collisions on highways are a recurring cause of fatalities in Bangladesh, where road safety standards remain weak. The use of overloaded pickups for passenger transport is common despite being illegal, and enforcement is sporadic.

What comes next

Police are continuing their investigation, including efforts to locate the drivers who fled. The truck's helper is in custody and may provide leads. Authorities are working to identify the remaining four deceased and notify their families. The incident is likely to renew calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and safer transportation for workers.

The bottom line

• Eight construction workers died in a head-on crash between a pickup and a truck in Sylhet on Sunday morning.
• The pickup was carrying 20 workers and a concrete mixer; the truck was hauling jackfruit.
• Four victims have been identified; the rest are pending identification.
• Both drivers fled; the truck's helper has been detained.
• The accident underscores ongoing road safety issues in Bangladesh, particularly for informal workers.