Train travels 8km using mobile phone flashlights after headlight fails

A commuter train heading to Akhaura in Brahmanbaria was forced to travel nearly eight kilometres in darkness last night after its engine headlight malfunctioned.

In an unusual and risky move, the train continued its journey with the help of mobile phone torchlights held by railway staff and passengers.

The malfunction occurred after the Titas Commuter train passed Talshahar station in Ashuganj upazila of Brahmanbaria district, said Brahmanbaria Railway Station Master Md Jasim Uddin.

With the locomotive's headlight no longer functioning, railway staff used mobile phone flashlights to guide the train toward Brahmanbaria Railway Station, he said.

The train reached Brahmanbaria around 10:00pm, an hour later than its scheduled arrival at 9:00pm.

Jasim Uddin also said the journey from Talshahar to Brahmanbaria took about an hour, covering eight kilometres at a very slow speed. The train continuously blew its horn throughout the stretch, alarming passengers onboard.

Upon reaching Brahmanbaria station's loop, a functional locomotive was dispatched from Akhaura Railway Junction to pull the train to its final destination, he said, adding that an investigation will be conducted to find out what led to this malfunction.

The station master added that as per regulations, the staff on the train attempted to fix the issue by themselves at first. When they were unable to do so, they contacted BR officials and brought the train closer to Brahmanbaria where they were provided relief.

Shakila Akter, a passenger who boarded the train from Kamalapur Railway Station, said the train had left Dhaka on time and reached Ashuganj after a short delay (15 minutes). After leaving Ashuganj at 8:48pm, it slowed down significantly past Talshahar due to the headlight issue.

Passengers grew anxious as the train moved through the pitch-dark rural tracks, the passenger added.

Shariful Islam Bhuiyan, returning to Akhaura with his ailing wife after treatment in the capital, said, "I've never experienced anything like this in my life. It was truly bizarre. While we stayed calm, the darkness frightened many of the passengers."