Three killed in truck collision on NH-12 in Bengal's North Dinajpur
Synopsis
Thirty contractual labourers heading to a worksite in North Dinajpur became victims of a head-on highway collision when a 10-wheeler truck struck their vehicle on NH-12. Three are dead — Tepo Mardi, Chepo Burman, and Kalka Mardi — and 12 remain critical. The driver of the offending truck has fled, and police suspect intoxication.
Key Takeaways
Three workers — Tepo Mardi (36) , Chepo Burman (45) , and Kalka Mardi (42) — were killed in the crash on 7 August .
The collision occurred on National Highway-12 near Labour Bazar in Itahar block , North Dinajpur , West Bengal.
About 30 contractual workers from five panchayats were travelling in the truck at the time of the accident.
12 survivors remain in critical condition in hospital.
The 10-wheeler truck involved has been seized; its driver absconded and is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Superintendent Sonawane Kuldeep Suresh confirmed a formal investigation has been launched.
At least three contractual workers were killed and 12 others left in critical condition after two trucks collided head-on on National Highway-12 near Baliapara in Itahar block, North Dinajpur district, West Bengal, on Friday morning, 7 August. The crash, which occurred in the Labour Bazar area, involved a heavily loaded 10-wheeler truck and a vehicle carrying about 30 contractual labourers from five neighbouring panchayats.
How the Accident Unfolded
According to district police, the workers were travelling by truck to a worksite in Balipara when a 10-wheeler coming from the opposite direction struck their vehicle in a direct, high-speed head-on impact. The force of the collision twisted the workers' truck and threw several occupants onto the highway.
A female worker died at the scene. A second worker succumbed while being transported to hospital, and a third died shortly after admission. The three deceased have been identified as Tepo Mardi (36), Chepo Burman (45), and Kalka Mardi (42). Police have notified their families.
Rescue and Response
Residents in the vicinity, alerted by the sound of the impact and screams, rushed to the site and initiated rescue efforts before police arrived. Local police personnel subsequently transported the injured to hospital. Of those admitted, the condition of 12 workers remains critical, according to police.
The offending 10-wheeler truck has been seized. However, its driver had fled the scene and remained at large as of the time of reporting. Police suspect the driver may have been operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol, though this has not been confirmed.
What Authorities Said
Superintendent of Raiganj Police District, Sonawane Kuldeep Suresh, under whose jurisdiction the accident site falls, confirmed that families of the deceased are being contacted. 'An investigation into the matter has started already,' he said.
Pattern of Road Fatalities on NH-12
The stretch of NH-12 passing through North Dinajpur has seen recurring road accidents, with heavy commercial vehicles frequently cited as a contributing factor. Friday's crash is the latest in a series of fatal incidents involving migrant and contractual workers travelling in goods vehicles — a practice that remains common in rural West Bengal despite safety regulations. With 12 workers still in critical condition, the death toll could rise in the coming hours.
Point of View
Yet enforcement remains sporadic. With 12 workers still critical, the toll may worsen. The fleeing driver and suspected intoxication angle will test local police's ability to secure a conviction — something that has historically proven difficult in highway fatality cases in the state. Until worker transport is regulated and enforced with the same rigour as freight movement, crashes like this will recur.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Itahar truck accident on 7 August?
Two trucks collided head-on on National Highway-12 near Labour Bazar in Itahar, North Dinajpur, West Bengal, on the morning of 7 August. Three contractual workers were killed and 12 others were left in critical condition.
Who were the workers killed in the North Dinajpur truck crash?
The three deceased have been identified as Tepo Mardi (36), Chepo Burman (45), and Kalka Mardi (42), all contractual workers from panchayats in the Itahar area.
What caused the Itahar truck collision?
A 10-wheeler truck coming from the opposite direction struck a truck carrying about 30 contractual workers in a head-on collision. Police suspect the driver of the 10-wheeler was driving in an intoxicated state, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Has the driver of the truck been arrested?
No. The driver of the offending 10-wheeler truck had absconded by the time police reached the scene. The truck itself has been seized and an investigation is under way, according to Superintendent Sonawane Kuldeep Suresh.
What is the current condition of the injured workers?
Of the approximately 27 survivors taken to hospital, 12 are reported to be in critical condition, according to district police. The death toll could rise depending on their recovery.
