Seven killed as truck plunges into ditch in Daudkandi

 
At least seven people were killed and six others injured after a rice-laden truck lost control and plunged into a roadside ditch on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Daudkandi upazila of Cumilla early Tuesday.

The accident occurred around 3:15am in the Hasanpur area when the truck, travelling from Dinajpur to Noakhali, veered off the road.

Daudkandi Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Iqbal Bahar Majumdar confirmed the matter.

According to police and hospital sources, the deceased were identified as Afzal Hossain, 35, Sohrab Hossain, 40, Salek, 45, Suman Mia, 21, Bishu Mia, 35, Abu Hossain, 30, and Abdur Rashid, 55 --all residents of Dinajpur.

The injured included Amir Ali, 45, Tarikul Islam, 50, Jalal Hossain, 37, Md Aminul Islam, 38, Jahangir Alam, 40, and another unidentified person.

They were initially treated at Daudkandi Upazila Health Complex and later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital as their condition deteriorated. Doctors said at least five of the injured are in critical condition.

Police said 12 to 13 passengers riding on the truck were trapped underneath after it overturned. Rescue teams, along with locals, rescued victims and cleared the vehicle to restore traffic movement on the highway.