At least 17 passengers died and nearly a hundred were injured as a container train hit a passenger train on Monday (23 October) afternoon in Bhairab Rail Station in central Bangladesh.
Scores of passengers remained trapped under the compartments.
According to Bangladesh Railway officials, the container train was heading towards Chittagong port from Dhaka, failed to follow the signal and hit the last two compartments of the passenger train namely Egarosindhur Express which arrived at Bhairab Rail Station from Kishoreganj.
The box train hit the passenger train when it was waiting at the outer area of the station to change direction.
The two compartments were tossed after being hit by the container train, the passengers say.
Fire Service and Civil Defence, the Border Guard Bangladesh, and Rapid Action Battalion personnel joined the rescue operation alongside Bangladesh Railway’s own employees.
Assistant Director of Fire Service and Civil Defence in Kishoreganj Enamul Huq said some ten units of firefighters joined so far to the rescue operations, while a special team of fire service from Dhaka is on the way to join the operation.
At least 70 injured persons were sent to the nearest hospitals and hospitals in Dhaka for treatment, according to railway officials.
The rail communication between Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, and Kishoreganj remained suspended since the incident took place at 3.30 p.m. on Monday.
Sharar Nayel
Asia Correspondent
