The identities of 12 out of the 15 people killed after a rod-laden truck overturned on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway in Tangail’s Kalihati upazila early Monday have been confirmed.
The victims were travelling to northern districts ahead of Eid by riding on the truck carrying iron rods.
The incident occurred around 4:00 AM in the Jogarchar area of the highway when the truck reportedly lost control and overturned, leaving the passengers trapped under the rods and the vehicle.
According to police and local sources, the truck had left Chattogram’s Alankar area carrying several passengers bound for Manda upazila in Naogaon at lower fares. More passengers reportedly boarded the truck from Feni later.
The deceased identified so far are Md Sagar Mia, 20, son of Sakim Mia of Manda upazila in Naogaon, Robiul Islam, 25, son of Shahidul Islam of the same area, Ismail Hossain, 19, son of Altaf Hossain of Tanore upazila in Rajshahi, Nazrul, 60, of Shibganj upazila in Chapainawabganj, Mamun, 45, of Chapainawabganj Sadar, Sarikul, 25, son of Saidul of Niamatpur upazila in Naogaon, Md Bari, 21, son of Abdur Rashid of Manda, Badsha, 32, son of Abdur Rahim of the same upazila, Gias, 20, son of Rashid of Pakuria village, Mainul, 28, also son of Rashid of the same area, Yakub, son of Ekabbar Ali of Rajendrabati area and Tarek, 20, son of Sultan of the same locality.
The identities of the remaining three victims could not be known immediately.
The injured include Babu, 35, son of Mojibor of Manda, Abdul Rahman, 35, son of Abdul Rahim of the same upazila, Nayan Biswas, 32, son of deceased Mannan of Natore, Tuhin, son of Nazrul of Dashpara village, Alamgir, 40, son of Safed Ali of Manda, Siddiq Ali, 40, son of Chhorhab Ali Khorshed, 26, son of deceased Saheb Ali and Samej, son of Shahidul.
Jamuna Bridge East Police Station sub-inspector (SI) Abdul Hannan said all 15 victims died on the spot after being crushed beneath the truck and iron rods.
Police, Fire Service personnel and locals later rescued the injured and recovered the bodies, he added.
Tangail General Hospital Deputy Director Dr Sadikur Rahman said 15 bodies were brought to the hospital morgue, while nine injured people were admitted.
“Five of the injured later left the hospital, while the remaining patients are in critical condition,” he said.
