At least six people have been killed and another injured in a collision between a covered van and a CNG-run autorickshaw in Habiganj.
The incident took place on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway around 7:30am on Monday morning, confirmed Superintendent of Highway Police (Sylhet Region) Shahid Ullah.
The deceased have been identified as the autorickshaw driver Ahad Miya, 35, his wife Hanufa, 27, Shohagh Miya, 26, Shopon Miya, 26, Rahela, 30 and Alauddin, 18. They were all residents of Chunarughat upazila of the district.
The auto-rickshaw driver lost control of the vehicle while attempting to overtake a truck near Nasratpur Railgate and coliidied head-on with an oncoming covered van, said SP Shahid.
“Six of the seven passengers on board the autorickshaw died on the spot. Razia, 28, the seventh passenger is currently undergoing treatment at Osmani Medical College Hospital.”
The victims’ bodies were recovered from the scene and sent to Habiganj Sadar Hospital morgue.
“Traffic on the highway remained suspended for at least two hours after the accident, creating a long tailback on the busy route,” said Ariful Islam, station manager of Shayestaganj Fire Brigade.
Police seized the covered van but its driver managed to escape.
“A case will be filed over the matter soon,” said Shayestaganj Highway police camp OC Mainul Islam.
