Sylhet road crash: Families of deceased to get Tk5 lakh each, injured up to Tk3 lakh

The government has announced Tk5 lakh each for families of those who died in a head-on collision between two buses in Sylhet's Osmani Nagar.

Meanwhile, those who suffered permanent disability will receive Tk3 lakh and the other injured currently undergoing treatment will receive Tk1 lakh each, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury said today (8 August).

The financial aid is being provided on the instructions of the prime minister, Ariful said after visiting Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital to see those undergoing treatment after being injured in the crash.

During the visit, he enquired about their condition and directed the hospital authorities to ensure proper medical care for the injured.

Ariful said a designated form provided by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has been given to the hospital director. The beneficiaries will receive the government grant once the form is properly filled out and submitted, he added.

The minister also said that relevant authorities have been instructed to control vehicle speeds and stop competitive driving to reduce accidents on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway. He particularly highlighted the need to step up surveillance on reckless speeding and unnecessary competition among drivers during the morning hours when the highway remains clear.

Yesterday morning, nine people were killed in the head-on collision between the two buses, belonging to Unique and Bengal Paribahan, in the Kashikapron area of Osmani Nagar on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway. Seven people died on the spot, while two others succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.

All the deceased were passengers of the Unique bus. In addition, at least 24 passengers from both buses were injured, 14 of whom are currently undergoing treatment at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.