Bangladesh Railway launches investigation over Bogura Nilsagar Express derailment

Nine coaches of the Eid-bound train went off track, prompting a high-level inquiry

The Bangladesh Railway has formed a four-member committee to investigate the derailment of the Nilsagar Express in Bogura, which left over 60 passengers injured.

Rezaul Karim Siddiqui, spokesperson for the Ministry of Railways, said the panel is being led by the chief transportation officer of Bangladesh Railway, reflecting the seriousness of the incident.

The train, carrying Eid holidayers from Dhaka to Chilahati in Nilphamari, went off the tracks around 2pm on Wednesday in Bogura, causing nine of its coaches to derail.

Authorities have confirmed that the injured passengers are receiving medical attention, while the investigation will focus on determining the cause of the accident and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Police said most of the injured were passengers on the roof of the train.

Officials said the single-line disruption cut rail links between Dhaka and five northern districts -- Nilphamari, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Joypurhat.

Panic gripped passengers after the derailment.

Santahar Railway Police Sub-Inspector Mahfuzur Rahman said the train derailed while heading for Tilakpur shortly after leaving Santahar station. Nine coaches of the train came off the tracks.

The railway authorities said in a media statement that 66 people were injured.

Of them, 20 are undergoing treatment at Naogaon Sadar Hospital.

Forty others people were discharged after primary treatment from the hospital, while another six injured passengers received primary treatment at Adamdighi Upazila Health Complex in Bogura.

Authorities said salvage trains have left from Ishwardi and Parbatipur to rescue the Nilsagar Express.