Authorities trying to resume Dhaka’s rail links with Chittagong, Sylhet

Authorities are trying to restore Dhaka’s railway communications with Sylhet and Chittagong.

The snapped links have thrown plans of thousands of travellers on these routes off the tracks.

Eight trains are stranded at different stations after a Dhaka-Sylhet intercity train derailed in Brahmanbarhia on Sunday.

Akhaurha Loco-Shed officer Md Mohsin Miah said a relief train arrived at the scene of the accident at 4:30pm.

He said the rescue operation would end around 11pm.

A four-member committee headed by Railway Departmental Transport officer Nazmul Islam has been formed to investigate the accident.

The committee has been asked to submit a report in three days.

Several passengers were injured in the accident, said Brahmanbarhia Railway Station's Assistant Master Moinul Hossain.

He said six carriages of the inter-city 'Joyontika Express' derailed near the Paghachang Station around 2pm.

"Several passengers were injured when they jumped off the train in panic," added the railways official.

It was not immediately clear whether the accident was caused by sabotage amid the BNP's ongoing blockade.

Train is the preferred mode of transport for millions during the violent agitation with trucks and buses coming under regular arson and bomb attacks across the country.