SINGAPORE - A 33-year-old man, who was one of 17 migrant workers travelling on the back of a lorry, died after the vehicle collided with a stationary tipper truck on the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) on Tuesday morning (April 20).

The Bangladeshi man died of his injuries in hospital, while the other 16 workers were also sent to hospital.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday evening, the Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) said that seven are still warded, with two of the workers in intensive care.

The remaining nine have been discharged after being treated for minor injuries.

A 36-year-old male lorry driver was arrested for careless driving causing death.

Police said that they were alerted at 6.06am to the accident on the PIE towards Changi Airport before the Jalan Bahar exit.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said two people were found trapped in the rear compartment of the lorry. They were rescued using hydraulic equipment.

The lorry passengers, aged between 23 and 46, were taken to National University Hospital and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.

The police said two of the workers were unconscious after the accident.

A Facebook video posted at around 10.30am shows the aftermath of the accident.

Several men were seen lying on the road, surrounded by at least two ambulances and a fire engine.

The accident caused traffic to be backed up until Pioneer Road North, according to the Land Transport Authority.

The Straits Times understands that all of the passengers are foreign workers who work for Bright Asia Construction.

When contacted by ST, a man from Bright Asia Construction said that investigations are ongoing. He declined to comment further.

In response to queries from ST, the Manpower Ministry said that its Assurance, Care and Engagement (ACE) officers are working closely with MWC and the employer to take care of the affected workers' well being.

MWC said in its Facebook post that the workers should be protected under the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) as the accident took place while they were en route to the worksite.

The non-government organisation said it will also contact the deceased worker's loved ones to offer their sympathies and extend interim financial assistance to them, "as it will take some time for WICA to be paid out".

Contributions to the affected workers or towards the cause of supporting needy or distressed migrant workers can be made at this website.