Sylhet rail link snaps after oil tanker train derails in Habiganj’s Madhabpur

Six wagons of a Sylhet-bound train veered off the tracks at Montola on Wednesday night

Rail communication between Sylhet and the rest of the country has been suspended after an oil-laden train derailed in Habiganj’s Madhabpur Upazila.

Six wagons of the Sylhet-bound train from Chattogram went off the rails near Montola around 9pm on Wednesday, confirmed Md Monir Mia, the station master of Noapara Railway Station.

Witnesses said several carriages veered off the tracks and overturned into nearby fields, causing fuel to spill onto the surrounding land.

Local residents were seen collecting the leaked oil in buckets.

The station master said a relief train has been dispatched from Akhaura to begin salvage operations.

Lal Mia, in-charge of the Noapara Police Outpost, confirmed that authorities are coordinating the recovery effort.

"Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel are also on-site to secure the fuel and maintain order," he said.