5 dead in Feni as covered van rams pickup carrying construction workers

Police say 18 construction workers were returning to the city on a pickup truck after work

Five construction workers have been killed and 10 others injured after a covered van rammed into a pickup truck carrying them in Feni Sadar Upazila.

The accident occurred around 8pm on Monday at Hafezia area in Lemua along the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, said Harunur Rashid, chief of Mohipal Highway Police Station.

He could not immediately confirm the identities of the dead.

Among the injured, those receiving treatment at Feni General Hospital include Monir, 40, from the city’s Sahadebpur, Jahangir, 30, Sabuj, 25, Mahiuddin, 35, Nagar, 35, and Nagar Majhi, 35, with most of them identified by their single names.

Sergeant Saimun Islam of Mohipal Highway Police Station said 18 construction workers were returning to Feni town on a pickup truck after finishing work in Lemua when a covered van hit them from behind, causing the pickup to overturn.

"As the workers were thrown onto the road, another covered van ran over them.

“Five workers died on the spot, while at least 10 others were injured,” he said.

“Locals rescued them and sent them to hospital," he added.

Dr Saidur Rahman of the emergency department at Feni General Hospital said three critically injured workers—Sabuj, Monir, and Mahiuddin—had been transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for better treatment.

Nagar, one of the injured, said: "Like every day, 18 of us were returning to Feni town with our construction equipment after finishing concrete work on a building when the accident happened."

Police chief Harunur Rashid said highway police and Fire Service officials were at the scene.

"Traffic on the Dhaka-bound road was disrupted for some time, but normal movement was restored after the vehicles were removed,” he said.

“The bodies have been taken to the station. They will be handed over to the families after completing legal procedures," he added.