A tragic road accident in the Duqm region of Oman resulted in the deaths of eight Bangladeshi expatriate workers on Wednesday afternoon. The victims were en route to a fishing location when their microbus collided with a large container truck. This incident has prompted swift diplomatic and legal actions, with the identities of the deceased confirmed and repatriation processes initiated.
Bangladeshi workers killed in Oman: What transpired on the road to Duqm
Reports indicate that the collision occurred around 3:00 PM local time on Wednesday, when a microbus carrying nine Bangladeshi nationals struck a large fishing container truck on the highway leading to Duqm Sidra, situated approximately 650 kilometers from the capital, Muscat. According to officials, the group was traveling to the sea for fishing-related employment. Asadul Haque, First Secretary (Labour) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Muscat, verified the information during a telephone interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). “Nine Bangladeshis, including the driver, were on their way to Dukum Sidra when the accident took place,” Haque stated. He confirmed that eight passengers perished at the scene, while the driver suffered serious injuries and was promptly taken to a nearby hospital for medical care.
The incident took place on a secluded section of road within the Al Wusta Governorate, prompting the dispatch of emergency services to the location following the collision. As reported by Asadul Haque, First Secretary (Labour) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Muscat, eight passengers were pronounced dead at the scene. The ninth individual, the microbus driver, sustained critical injuries and was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care. The Ministry of Health in Oman previously verified the number of casualties, indicating that eight individuals had lost their lives and two others were injured in a traffic incident in Duqm. Additionally, the Ministry released an official statement conveying its sympathies to the families of the victims and wishing a swift recovery for the injured.
In a subsequent report by the Times of Oman, the identities of the deceased were disclosed by Sirajul Haque, Chairman of the Bangladesh Social Club in Oman. He confirmed that the majority of those who perished were from the Chattogram region of Bangladesh and were en route to their workplace in Duqm at the time of the accident. The victims have been identified as: Amin Sawdagar, Arju, Mohd Roki, Mohammed Bablu, Mohd Sahabuddin, Jowel, and Roni.
All individuals were Bangladeshi expatriates, and as per the report, their remains have been transferred to various local hospitals in the Duqm region. In addition to these seven individuals, an eighth Bangladeshi national also lost their life, although the name of this person had not been disclosed at the time of reporting. Sirajul Haque further confirmed that a representative from the Bangladesh Embassy has arrived at the crash site to provide assistance. He mentioned that arrangements are underway to repatriate the bodies to Bangladesh, adhering to the required official protocols.
A man has been detained for recording a graphic video at the scene. The crash site quickly attracted public interest, and according to Khaleej Times, Omani authorities later verified that one individual was arrested for filming the incident, with the footage allegedly containing graphic depictions of the deceased. As stated by the Royal Oman Police, the person involved is of Asian nationality. Authorities have emphasized that legal measures are currently being pursued against him for breaching regulations related to privacy and decency in such sensitive circumstances.
