Death toll rises to 16 in two road crashes in Sylhet, Bogura

At least 16 people were killed and more than 40 injured in two separate road accidents in Sylhet and Bogura on Friday morning (August 7), marking one of the deadliest days on the country's highways in recent months.

The worst of the two crashes occurred around 7:15am on the Dhaka–Sylhet Highway in Kashikapon (Dayamir) under Osmaninagar upazila, where two passenger buses collided head-on.

According to police and eyewitnesses, a Bengal Paribahan bus travelling from Dhaka to Sylhet crashed into a Unique Paribahan bus heading towards the capital. The impact hurled the Unique Paribahan coach into a roadside ditch, while the Bengal Paribahan bus remained heavily damaged on the highway.

Eight passengers died at the scene. Another victim later succumbed to injuries at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, raising the death toll in the crash to nine, hospital police confirmed.

At least 25 people were injured, with 16 admitted in critical condition to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Doctors warned that the death toll could rise further as several victims remain in critical condition.

Police identified two of the deceased as Saptam Roy Pritam, 22, from Sobhanighat in Sylhet city, and Khojaifa, 3, from Bikrampur in Dhaka. Authorities are working to identify the remaining victims.

In a separate incident around 5:30am, seven people were killed in Shajahanpur upazila of Bogura after a Dhaka-bound air-conditioned coach of Shah Fateh Ali Paribahan lost control and ploughed into a roadside labour gathering.

Police said the bus first struck an electricity pole before overturning onto a group of day labourers and agricultural workers waiting for work at Erulia Silkibandha.

Three people died instantly, while four others later died in hospital, taking the death toll in the Bogura crash to seven. Another 15 to 20 people sustained injuries and were admitted to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital and other healthcare facilities.

The twin tragedies, occurring within hours of each other, have cast a shadow over the country and renewed concerns over highway safety. Police have launched separate investigations into both crashes, while efforts continue to clear the damaged vehicles and restore normal traffic.