17 killed as intercity, freight trains collide in Bhairab; rescue operation ongoing
Three suspended, two bodies formed to probe the accident
At least 17 people have been killed and over 100 others injured after two trains collided in Bhairab of Kishoreganj.
The accidents occurred when Egarosindhur Express collided with a freight train at Bhairab station on Monday (23 October) afternoon, Bhairab railway police station Officer-in-Charge Alim Hossain Shikdar said.
The rescue operation is still ongoing as of 7:30pm.
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The death toll may rise further, said Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad.
Rail communication on the Dhaka-Chattogram-Sylhet route remained suspended for about 6 hours following the accident. A rescue train cleared the line around 9:30pm.
"Dhaka-bound Egarosindhu Express train departed from Bhairab station this afternoon. It had switched tracks to enter a different line.
"Before the entire train could complete its transition to the new line, another container train entered the same line and collided with the rear of the passenger train, causing several compartments to derail," said Alim Hossain Shikdar.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka-bound Mahanagar Express train from Chattogram, Dhaka-bound Jayantika Express from Sylhet and Dhaka-bound Karnaphuli Express train from Chattogram were stuck at different stations in Brahmanbaria due to the accident, bringing immense sufferings to the passengers.
The Bangladesh Railway (BR) has suspended the locomaster, assistant locomaster, and guard of the freight train involved in the collision.
BR also formed two separate committees to investigate the incident, BR Director General Kamrul Ahsan told The Business Standard after visiting the scene. A probe committee has been formed at divisional level and another at regional level, Kamrul Ahsan said.
"Trains are already coming to Dhaka from Akhaura. Hopefully, trains will also start leaving Dhaka through this route in a short time," he added.
