7 killed as rice-laden truck falls into ditch in Daudkandi

PNN News Desk, Cumilla

A rice-laden truck lost control and overturned into a roadside ditch in Daudkandi, Cumilla, resulting in a horrific accident. Seven people died on the spot and six others were injured.

The accident occurred early Tuesday morning (14 April) in the Hasanpur area of Daudkandi upazila on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway.

Police said a rice-laden truck traveling from Dinajpur to Chattogram suddenly lost control and fell below the highway. Around 13 workers were traveling on the truck. During the accident, they were crushed under the vehicle.

Seven people died on the spot. Among the deceased were workers from Nabiganj and Birampur areas of Dinajpur district. Six injured were quickly rescued and sent to nearby hospitals.

Police and locals rushed to the scene after receiving news and started rescue operations. Later, with the help of the fire service, the wrecked truck was recovered and taken to the police station.

Daudkandi Highway Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Iqbal Bahar said that workers were traveling on top of the truck heading to Chattogram. The vehicle lost control in the Hasanpur area and fell into the ditch. It is initially believed that driver negligence or drowsy driving caused the accident.

He also said that the bodies have been recovered and kept at the police station while identification work is ongoing. Authorities are also working to ensure treatment for the injured. Investigation into the exact cause of the accident is ongoing.