A truck carrying iron rods and passengers overturned and fell into a roadside ditch near a bridge on Monday morning in Bangladesh. At least 15 people were killed, and several others were injured in the horrific accident.

According to police officials, the accident took place around 4:30–5:00 a.m. in the Soratoil area, around 80–90 kilometres from the capital Dhaka. The truck was reportedly overloaded with steel rods and also carrying passengers sitting on top of the cargo.

Authorities said the victims were mostly labourers and travellers who were heading towards the northern parts of the country to celebrate the upcoming Eid al-Adha. Many people in Bangladesh begin travelling days in advance to reunite with their families for the festival.

Preliminary reports suggest that the driver lost control of the vehicle on the highway, causing it to veer off the road and overturn into a ditch beside a bridge. The impact of the crash was severe, killing several passengers on the spot.

Local police officials confirmed that the injured were quickly rescued and taken to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. The exact condition of the injured has not yet been fully updated, but some are reported to be in serious condition.