Trains collide in Sirajganj

Dhaka’s rail links with Bangladesh’s northern districts resumed after nine hours of disruption caused by a head-on collision between two trains at Ullaparha in Sirajganj.

Sub-Inspector (SI) Abdul Jalil of Ullaparha police station said the collision happened around 3am on Sunday morning.

The 'Ekota Express' and 'Lalmoni Express' travelling in opposite directions ended up on the same track before they rammed into each other.

Two passengers were killed and 12 others were injured.

Railway officials say three tracks running through the station are the only rail link between Dhaka and the northern districts.

Trains were stopped on all three tracks after the accident.

‘Nilsagar Express’ from Syedpur left for Dhaka around noon after one of the tracks was cleared.

SI Jalil said four compartments of the Dinajpur-bound 'Ekota Express' and the Dhaka-bound' Lalmoni Express' were thrown off the tracks.

Four passengers trapped in these compartments were later rescued but Altaf Hossain, and Mojibur Rahman died on the spot.

Altaf, 35, hailing from Natore’s Harishpur, and Mojibur, 40, from Lalmonirhat, died as they were trapped in one of the derailed compartments.

Many others were injured as they tried to get off the train after the accident.

A compartment of the 'Ekota Express' was thrown over its engine on impact.

3 suspended, committees formed

Three rail employees have been suspended for alleged negligence of duty over the accident, Rail Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told bdnews24.com.

Those suspended were Ullaparha station’s master Khan Moniruzzaman, 'Ekota Express' driver Bankim Chandra Roy and his assistant Abdus Shafi.

Secretary Azad and railway’s Director General Tofazzal Hossain visited the spot of the accident at around 10:30am.

Four committees have been formed to investigate the accident.

Azad said a four-member committee formed by the ministry has been asked to file a report within four days.

Two other investigations have been ordered by railway’s west zone general manager.

The Sirajganj district administration has created another committee to probe the mishap.