Oil-laden train derailed in Sylhet: might take whole day to complete rescue operation

A five-member probe body has been formed to investigate the derailment of an oil-laden train at Gutigaon area between Maizgaon and Beyalibazar of Fenchuganj in Sylhet.

Abdul Aziz, chief engineer of Bangladesh Railway (Eastern) confirmed the development to The Daily Star.

The probe body was formed headed by Divisional Transport Officer Khairul Islam to find the cause of the accident and the committee was asked to submit its report within three days, he said.

About 800 metres of rail line was damaged due to derailment, he said, adding that the rescue teams from Sylhet, Kulaura, Dhaka and Chattogram have already reached the spot and have started working.

Dulal Chandra Das, sub-station mechanical engineer of Kulaura Railway Station, said it might take the whole day to complete the rescue operation.

Only one compartment has been recovered till 12:00pm. The rescue train arrived at the scene at night.

Meanwhile, rail communication of Sylhet with Dhaka and Chattogram has been suspended following the derailment.

Seven tankers of the oil-laden train were derailed at Gutigaon area between Maijgaon and Beanibazar around 12:00am today, said Md Safayet Hossain, officer-in-charge of Fenchuganj Police Station.