A fatal road accident in Oman’s Duqm region claimed the lives of eight Bangladeshi expatriate workers on Wednesday afternoon. The victims were travelling to a fishing site when their microbus collided with a large container truck. The incident has led to immediate diplomatic and legal responses, with identities of the deceased confirmed and repatriation steps underway.
Bangladeshi workers killed in Oman: What happened on the road to Duqm
According to reports, the incident took place around 3:00 PM local time on Wednesday, when a microbus carrying nine Bangladeshi nationals collided with a large fishing container truck on the highway leading to Duqm Sidra, a location approximately 650 kilometres from the capital, Muscat. The group, according to officials, was headed towards the sea for fishing-related work. Asadul Haque, First Secretary (Labour) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Muscat, confirmed the details during a phone interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). “Nine Bangladeshis, including the driver, were heading towards Dukum Sidra when the accident occurred,” Haque said. He confirmed that eight passengers lost their lives at the scene, while the driver sustained serious injuries and was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The accident occurred on a remote stretch of road in the Al Wusta Governorate, and emergency services were dispatched to the scene following the crash. According to Asadul Haque, First Secretary (Labour) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Muscat, eight of the passengers died on the spot. The ninth person, the driver of the microbus, was critically injured and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.The Ministry of Health in Oman earlier confirmed the casualty toll, stating that eight people had died and two others were injured in a traffic accident in Duqm. It also issued a formal statement expressing its condolences to the families of the deceased and extended wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Victims from Bangladesh’s Chattogram region identified after Oman crash
In a follow-up report by the Times of Oman, the identities of those killed were made public by Sirajul Haque, Chairman of the Bangladesh Social Club in Oman. He confirmed that most of the deceased were from Bangladesh’s Chattogram region, and had been heading to their work site in Duqm when the accident happened. The victims have been identified as:
- Amin Sawdagar
- Arju
- Mohd Roki
- Mohammed Bablu
- Mohd Sahabuddin
- Jowel
- Roni
All were Bangladeshi expatriates, and according to the report, their bodies have been placed in various local hospitals in the Duqm area.In addition to these seven names, an eighth Bangladeshi national also perished, though the person’s name had not been released at the time of reporting. Sirajul Haque also confirmed that a representative from the Bangladesh Embassy has reached the crash site to assist. He added that arrangements are being made to send the bodies back to Bangladesh, following the necessary official procedures.
Man detained for recording graphic video at scene
The crash scene quickly drew public attention, and according to Khaleej Times, Omani authorities later confirmed that one person was arrested for filming the accident, with the footage reportedly containing graphic images of the deceased. According to a statement from the Royal Oman Police, the individual in question is of Asian nationality. Authorities have stressed that legal action is currently being taken against him for violating regulations concerning privacy and decency in such sensitive situations.
