Nine killed as two buses collide head-on in Sylhet

Photo: Collected

At least nine people were killed and 13 others injured in a head-on collision between two passenger buses on the Dhaka–Sylhet Highway in Sylhet on Friday morning.

The accident occurred at around 7:15am in the Kashikapon area of Dayamir under Osmaninagar upazila in the district, according to police.

Of the nine people killed, two have been identified as Priyom, 25, and Jaifa, 4.

The injured have been identified as Wab, 45; Mansur, 34; Atikul Islam, 48; Babul, 40; Mofiz Mia, 55; Sajid Nur, 45; Nurunnahar, 40; Mukhtar Hossain, 65; Jahangir, 28; Afzal, 30; Afroza, 38; Montu, 30; and Raju, 55.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Anisur Rahman of Sherpur Highway Police Station confirmed the incident.

According to Sherpur Highway Police, a Unique Paribahan passenger bus travelling from Dhaka to Sylhet collided head-on with a Bengal Paribahan passenger bus heading in the opposite direction.

Seven people were killed on the spot, while another died after being taken to hospital.

Local residents, members of the Fire Service and Highway Police carried out rescue operations immediately after the crash.

The 13 injured passengers were rescued and admitted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Police said several of the injured were in critical condition.

The identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed as police continue the identification process.

The two damaged buses were later removed from the highway, restoring normal traffic flow. Legal proceedings over the incident are underway, the OC added.