Around 100 passengers were injured when nine coaches of the Nilsagar Express, en route from Dhaka to Chilahati in Nilphamari, derailed in Bogura ahead of Eid travel rush.
At the time of the incident, repair work was underway on the railway line. A red flag had been hoisted and signals were given, but the accident occurred when the train allegedly ignored the warning signals.
* Disaster strikes as train 'ignores repair warnings'
* Loco master absconding
* Assistant station master dismissed on charges of negligence
Santahar Assistant Station Master Shahidul Islam Ranju has been temporarily suspended for negligence of duty over the incident. Meanwhile, the train driver has been missing since the accident. A four-member investigation committee has been formed, according to railway
authorities.
The information was obtained from local and railway officials as well as eyewitnesses regarding the incident that occurred around 2 pm on Wednesday. Rail communication between Dhaka and northern Bangladesh has remained suspended, causing suffering to passengers at various stations.
As of filing this report at around 8 pm, train movement in the area remained suspended. A rescue train from Ishwardi reached the spot at 650 pm, while another rescue train from Saidpur was on its way.
According to local sources and railway officials, the accident occurred when the Nilsagar Express, which left Dhaka around 2 pm, reached Bagbari Dakshin Para near Santahar Junction. Following the incident, four units of the Fire Service launched rescue operations.
They said repair work was ongoing on the railway line at Bagbari, adjacent to Santahar Station. As the train approached the spot, nine coaches derailed before it could pass safely.
The derailed coaches include AC Chair 7235, several Shovan Chair coaches (7250, 7227, 7905, 7927, 7928), a power car (7513), among others.
Naogaon Fire Service Inspector Rezaul Karim said four units were conducting rescue operations and searching each compartment. Around 64 people were rescued and sent to Naogaon Sadar Hospital, with one reported in critical condition. Locals also transported several injured passengers to nearby hospitals.
Santahar Railway Police Sub-Inspector Mahfuzur Rahman said the train had stopped at Santahar Station and derailed shortly after departure. At least nine coaches went off the tracks, causing panic among passengers, many of whom rushed to get down. The number of ??? is estimated to be around 100.
Pakshi Railway District Superintendent of Police Mehedi Hasan said most of the injured were passengers travelling on the roof. They were taken to hospitals in Adamdighi and Naogaon Sadar.
He added that disruption on the single railway line has cut off train links between Dhaka and five northern districts-Nilphamari, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Joypurhat.
Wayman Sohel, in charge of Santahar Junction Station, said repair work was ongoing due to damage to the rail line. Despite signals from the control room and red flags being displayed, the train allegedly ignored them. "The driver did not even follow hand signals. It appears negligence led to the accident," he said.
Santahar Station Master Khadija Khatun said it is too early to determine the exact cause of the incident. "We will be able to say more later, as the driver is currently missing," she said, adding that the assistant station master has been suspended.
Bogura Superintendent of Police Mirza Sayem Mahmud said efforts were underway to recover the train by night. "Adequate police arrangements have been made for passenger safety. Many of the injured have already received treatment and resumed their journeys," he added.
