Nine migrant labourers died and 18 others were critically injured when the pick-up van in which they were travelling rammed into a concrete lamppost near Kultali Simana Bazaar area of Baruipur in South 24-Parganas late on Sunday night.

They were part of a group of 27 from Radhaballabhpur and Mullickpara under Joynagar in South 24-Parganas, who were headed towards Howrah station to catch a Kerala-bound train on Monday morning for work at a construction firm. Their kin said they had stayed at home for 16 months amid Covid-19-induced lockdowns and uncertainties.

Police have started a case against the driver, also injured, for rash driving.

Officials of Bakultala police station and eyewitness in Kultali Simana Bazar area said the accident occurred at 11.55pm on Sunday when the speeding pick-up van rammed into a concrete lamppost, then a tree and then overturned.

Local residents, who took the victims to Nimpith Hospital, said six persons died on the spot while others succumbed to injuries at the hospital.

Preliminary probe suggested that the driver lost control of the speeding vehicle.

A senior officer of Baruipur police district said: “It could not be immediately ascertained how the accident occurred. We have spoken to some of the survivors who said the driver was drunk and driving with one hand on the steering wheel while speaking on a mobile phone held in his other hand. He was asked by the occupants to reduce speeding that he apparently ignored.”

Police began a case of reckless driving against the driver, who is critically injured.

“We will interrogate the driver to know the exact reason behind the accident once he recovers,” the officer said.

Alamgir Mollah, one of the survivors, who lost his father, elder brother and two other relatives in the accident, said: "We had to catch an early morning train and hence left home close to midnight to reach Howrah station without hassle. But our driver was arrogant and drove with one hand at great speed. I cautioned him many times to reduce speeding but he did not listen.”

Many people from several areas of Joynagar work as masons in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Many of them returned last year during lockdown. During the past few months many of them have been trying to go back in the absence of work in Bengal owing to Covid induced restrictions imposed by the state government.

Jairul Majhi, a woman who lost her son in the mishap, said: “There was a serious financial crisis at home. My son was trying hard to go back to work and persuading a local agent for a long time. The agent gave him the nod on Saturday and now he is dead."

Trinamul's Kultali MLA Ganesh Mondal said: "We are in touch with the state government to ensure that the kin of the deceased labourers and those who are injured get compensation.”