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Published : 03 May 2026, 06:13 PM
What began as an ordinary early-morning commute for construction workers in Sylhet ended in sudden carnage on a bridge, leaving eight dead and several others fighting for life in hospital.
Among the dead is Pandab Biswas, 20, a young labourer who had left his village in Companiganj’s Shibpur area just two weeks ago after an argument over work.
He had walked away from home in anger, hoping to start over in the city.
He found work as a construction labourer and was staying at his aunt’s home in Sylhet’s Loharpara.
Early Sunday morning, he stepped out again for another day’s work -- unaware it would be his last journey.
Around 6am, a head-on collision between a pickup and a truck near Telibazar Bridge in South Surma upended lives in an instant.
Police and Fire Service and Civil Defence officials said about 20 construction workers were travelling in a pickup from Amberkhana Point towards Lalabazar, carrying a construction machine with them.
As the vehicle reached Telibazar Bridge, it crashed head-on into an oncoming truck loaded with jackfruit. The impact was devastating.
Workers said passengers were thrown violently from the pickup. Four people died on the spot, with four more declared dead after being taken to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.
Others remain under treatment.
Pandab’s uncle Pulin Biswas arrived at the hospital to receive the body of a nephew he says left home out of frustration, not ambition.
“He became angry over work-related discussions at home and left for the city. It is the harvesting season, but he was not adept at that kind of work. He used to work in sand-related labour and would not accept other jobs easily,” he said.
Pandab’s father had died earlier. Now his mother, elder brother and sister-in-law are left behind in silence.
“He wanted cash-based work. That was always his preference,” his uncle added.
The other victims include two brothers from Sunamganj -- Azir Uddin, 35, and Amir Uddin, 22 -- along with Nargis Akter, 45, Mosha Munni Begum, 26, Nuruj Ali, 60, Faridul, who was identified with a single name, 35, Badarul Amin, 40, and Badruzzaman.
A Wife Waits in Hospital, Unaware
In another heartbreaking turn, Badarul from Jalalaabad and his wife Hafiza Begum were travelling together in the morning, leaving four children at home.
The crash killed Badarul instantly. Hafiza survived but lies injured at the hospital, still unaware that her husband is no more.
Relatives gathered at the hospital said the truth had not yet been told to her.
Abdus Rahim, a family member, said Hafiza is his niece and the couple had recently turned to labour work due to financial hardship. Badarul had previously driven an autorickshaw.
His younger brother Sadiqul Alam stood at the hospital, preparing paperwork while holding back the news.
“My brother has died. My sister-in-law does not know yet,” he said quietly.
Two Brothers, a Final Journey
For another family in Sunamganj’s Mukti Khola village, grief arrived twice.
Brothers Azir and Amir left home together at dawn for work in Sylhet. They shared rented accommodation and daily labour, just as they shared their final journey.
Both died in the same crash.
Relatives at the hospital said they are preparing to take the bodies home, while families in the village wait for the return that will never feel complete again.
Shamim, a cousin identified by a single name, said the brothers had left early as usual.
“They went out together in the morning for work. We came rushing after hearing the news,” he said.
Back in Mukti Khola, their mother broke down on hearing that both sons were gone at once.
