12 killed as train rams into bus at level crossing in Cumilla
At least 12 people were killed and 18 injured after a Chattogram-Dhaka mail train hit a bus at a level crossing in Cumilla’s Sadar Dakshin upazila early today.
The deceased are: Md Babul Chowdhury, 53, of Noakhali’s Sonaimuri and a resident of Tejturi Bazar, Dhaka; Laiju Akter, 29, wife of Pintu Mia of Jhenaidah’s Maheshpur, along with their two daughters Khadija Akter, 9, and Mariam Akter, 3; Sohel Rana, 48, of Chuadanga’s Jibannagar; Khandakar Sirajul Alam, 60, of Jashore’s Chaugachha, and his wife Kohinur Begum, 55; Nazrul Islam Raihan, 28, of Sudharam in Noakhali Sadar; Sayeda, 9, daughter of Sirajul Doula of Lakshmipur Sadar; Md Jowad Hossain Biswas, 25, son of Moktar Hossain Biswas of Jhenaidah Sadar; Fosiar Rahman, 25, son of Wahab Sheikh of Magura’s Mohammadpur; and Mohammad Tajul Islam, 70, of Chandpur’s Kachua.
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The incident occurred around 2:45am at the Paduar Bazar level crossing, confirmed Officer-in-Charge Md Abdul Momin of Moynamoti Crossing Highway Police Station.
The train dragged the “Mamun Special” (Mamun Paribahan) bus, travelling from Chuadanga to Lakshmipur, for nearly a kilometre north to the Jangalya-Kachua area, according to witness accounts and police.
Authorities said no gateman was found on duty at the crossing at the time of the accident.
Sub-Inspector Saiful Islam of the EPZ outpost under Cumilla Sadar South Police Station said five people died on the spot.
Sub-Inspector Anwar, stationed at the hospital, said all bodies have been kept at the morgue and will be handed over to families following legal procedures.
Hospital sources said initially 18 people received treatment, while five remain admitted.
The injured include 65-year-old Omar Faruk from Jhenaidah; Ismail Hossain Takbir, a student of Islamic University; Rakib, 20, from Sunamganj; Shahidul, 50, from Narayanganj -- four of them are in the casualty department, while 28-year-old Mahfuz from Matlab, Chandpur is in the ICU.
Dr Ajay Bhoumik of Cumilla Medical College Hospital said the injured were brought in around 4:00am. “We found 12 people dead on arrival. Most victims suffered severe head injuries and heavy bleeding,” he said.
Injured passenger Omar Faruk told The Daily Star that the bus was crossing the railway line through an open rail gate when the train struck it.
“I lost consciousness due to the impact. When I regained consciousness, I saw the bus completely crushed and people lying around injured and bleeding,” he said.
No passengers on the train were injured.
However, the front of the train was partially damaged, and a signal post between Paduar Bazar and Jangalya was broken.
A train passenger, Mohammad Idris, said the train came to a sudden halt after a jolt, and the power went out creating panic among passengers, although no one was injured.
2 gatemen suspended; 3 committees formed
Two gatemen -- Mehedi Hasan and Helal Uddin -- have been suspended for negligence.
Railway authorities formed two separate committees for investigation , while Cumilla's deputy commissioner also formed a five-member probe committee.
Cumilla DC Md Reza Hasan announced Tk 25,000 financial assistance for each victim’s family, while the Ministry of Railways announced Tk 1 lakh for the families of each victim and Tk 15,000 for the injured.
Rail communications resume
Rail communication on the Chattogram-Dhaka route remained suspended for about seven and a half hours after the accident.
A relief train from Akhaura arrived around 8:15am. After two hours of operation, the wrecked bus was removed from the track, restoring rail movement. The damaged train later left for Dhaka around 10:30am.
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