2 killed as detached train wagons crash into vehicles at Rajbari crossing

Two people were killed and at least six others injured after several detached wagons from an oil tanker train crashed into a passenger bus, a three-wheeler, and an autorickshaw at a railway level crossing in Rajbari.

The accident occurred at around 8:45PM on Sunday at the Khankhanapur railway crossing on the Dhaka-Khulna highway. The injured were rescued and taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital. 

Among them, injured Monowar Patowari died on the way to the hospital, while Abdul Malek later succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

It was learnt that an oil tanker train was traveling from the Dhuldi Power Plant in Faridpur to Khulna. The locomotive and several wagons successfully crossed the Khankhanapur railway crossing. After the train had passed, the gatekeeper reopened the crossing by raising the barrier.

Moments later, however, several wagons that had become detached from the main train rolled onto the crossing and collided with a three-wheeler (locally known as Mahindra), an autorickshaw, and a passenger bus that were crossing the tracks.

The detached wagons pushed the Mahindra  nearly 100 yards along the railway line, while the autorickshaw was completely crushed. The passenger bus was also pushed onto the tracks. Local people rescued eight seriously injurede, who were immediately sent to Faridpur Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Following the accident, traffic on the highway came to a standstill. Police personnel from Ahladipur Highway Police and the Fire Service launched rescue operations. 

Traffic resumed after the damaged bus was removed from the railway crossing.

Authorities are expected to investigate how the train wagons became detached, leading to the fatal collision.