Nine Killed, 25 Injured in Head-On Bus Crash on Bangladesh’s Dhaka–Sylhet Highway

At least nine people were killed and 25 others injured after two passenger buses collided head-on on Bangladesh’s Dhaka–Sylhet Highway on Friday morning, authorities said.

The accident occurred around 7:30 a.m. in the Kashikapan area of Osmaninagar Upazila in Sylhet District, northeastern Bangladesh.

Osmaninagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Golam Mostafa confirmed the incident, stating that several people were killed and dozens injured in the crash.

According to Bangladesh Highway Police, a Dhaka-bound Unique Paribahan bus traveling from Sylhet collided head-on with a Sylhet-bound Bengal Paribahan sleeper coach coming from Dhaka. The collision caused extensive damage to both vehicles.

How the Crash Happened

Witnesses said both buses were attempting to overtake other vehicles on the highway when the drivers lost control. The buses then crashed into each other at high speed.

The impact was so powerful that the Unique Paribahan bus veered off the road and plunged into a roadside ditch. Witnesses reported that excessive speed and dangerous overtaking may have contributed to the crash.

The front sections of the buses were crushed, trapping passengers inside. Eight passengers died at the scene, while at least 25 others were injured.

Among the injured was a three-year-old child who was taken in critical condition to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Doctors later declared the child dead, raising the death toll to nine.

Emergency responders, including local residents, firefighters, highway police, and local police officers, quickly arrived at the scene and launched rescue operations.

The injured were transported to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Sherpur Highway Police OC Anisur Rahman said preliminary findings suggest reckless driving, excessive speed, and dangerous overtaking were major factors in the accident.

Sylhet Highway Police Region Superintendent of Police (SP) Humayun Kabir said two victims have been identified so far:

• Faiza, a three-year-old girl from South Surma, Sylhet.
• Haji Moinul Islam, 55, from Kishoreganj District, Bangladesh.

Authorities are continuing efforts to identify the remaining victims and notify their families.

After the damaged buses were removed, traffic on the Dhaka–Sylhet Highway returned to normal. Police have launched an investigation, and legal proceedings are underway.

Road accidents remain a major concern in Bangladesh, where speeding, risky overtaking, and traffic rule violations continue to contribute to deadly crashes on major highways.