At least seven people were killed and six others injured after a rice-laden truck plunged into a roadside ditch on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Daudkandi upazila of Cumilla district early Tuesday.

The deceased were identified as Sohrab hossain, son of Alam of Khalibpur village, Afzal Hossain, son of Azad Mia, Salek, son of Fazlur Rahman of Nababganj upazila, Sumon, son of Palash Mia, Bishu, Abul Hossain, son of Mazharul Islam and Abdur Rashid, son of Rakibullah of Birampur upazila in Dinajpur district.

Iqbal Bahar, Inspector of Daudkandi Highway Police said the accident occurred around 3 am when the Chattogram-bound rice-laden truck from Dinajpur truck was heading skidded off the road and fell into a ditch, leaving seven people killed on the spot and six others injured.

The injured were taken to local hospital.

A total of 13 people travelling on top of the truck were trapped underneath after the accident.

Vehicular movement on the highway was disrupted for some time following the accident.

Police seized the truck but could not arrest its driver and helper.