Bahrain, Jan 26 (GDN): TEN Indian workers and their driver were injured when their minibus overturned after colliding with a car on a major highway yesterday.

Five of the passengers were still in hospital last night, while six were discharged after receiving treatment.

The accident happened on the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway, Hamad Town, at around 6am as the men were travelling to work.

Police were yesterday said to be questioning the driver of the Toyota car that allegedly smashed into the back of the minibus, causing the Pakistani driver to lose control of the vehicle.

All 11 men are employed by Ship Master Marine Services and were initially taken to the BDF Hospital for treatment.

Two of them, Sethu Raman, 28, and G Elumalai, 36, had to be transferred to the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) with a fractured shoulder and lower back injuries respectively.

Three others - Sampath Era, 45, S Perumal, 26, and driver Mohammed Jawad, 30 - were being kept under observation at the BDF Hospital yesterday.

The other six were treated for minor hand, leg and head injuries and discharged, said company manager Peethambaran P Nair.

He said the company did not expect the men back at work until they had fully recovered. "Work is not a primary issue for us, but the health and safety of our workers are," said Mr Nair.

"Thank God no-one suffered serious injuries and all are out of danger.

"They just need some rest and peace of mind."

The minibus the men were travelling in overturned several times before coming to rest on its side.