Two farm workers were dead and 12 people were injured as a truck carrying them fell into a roadside ditch after overturning on Khulna-Satkhira highway in Tala upazila of Satkhira early this morning (May 16, 2023), said police.

The deceased -- Suman Hossain, 35, and Abul Hossain, 46 -- were residents of Shyamnagar upazila in the district.

Of the injured, only three could be identified: Farida Khatun, Arafat Hossain Mithu and Eshar Ali.

Taposh Kumar Das, who also sustained injuries in the accident and received treatment from Satkhira Sadar Hospital, said a total of 24 workers including him went to Shariatpur for harvesting paddy a few days back.

On Monday night, all the workers were returning home on a truck loaded with paddy as they got those as wages, he said.

The accident happened around 5:15 am when the truck fell into the roadside ditch after overturning in front of Kumira Women's College on the highway, he said, adding that the helper was driving the vehicle despite their objection.

Shawkat Hossain, officer-in-charge of Khulna-Satkhira highway police station, said the accident left Suman dead on the spot and 13 others critically injured.

On information, members of a nearby fire station rushed to the spot, recovered the body from beneath the truck, and sent the injured to several hospitals including the Sadar Hospital, he said.

Injured Abul Hossain succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, the OC said, adding that the truck was seized but its driver and helper managed to flee.

Ten workers who sustained minor injuries returned home later, the police officer added.