Train collision in Cumilla: 4 railways staffer suspended

Four railways staff have been suspended in the incident of a train collision at Hasanpur Railway Station of Cumilla's Nangalkot.

The suspended are train guard (Chattogram division) Abdul Quader, Loco Master (Dhaka Headquarters) Md Jashim Uddin, and Assistant Loco Master (Dhaka Headquarters) Md Mohsin and the maintainer of Hasanpur station Signal Wahid, confirmed Shariful Alam, deputy chief information officer of the railways ministry.

"The staffers have been suspended temporarily. Meanwhile, we have formed a probe body," said Md Abdur Rahman, Chattogram divisional manager of Bangladesh Railway. 

"Further action will be taken after the probe committee submits its report," he added.

By far, two probe committees have been formed over the incident. One committee has been initiated by the Cumilla district administration and the other by Bangladesh Railways.

Earlier around 6:15pm Sunday, the Dhaka-bound Sonar Bangla Express train hit the freight train standing on loop number four of Hasanpur Railway Station at a speed of 77 km.

Train movement was resumed from 10pm on Sunday.

Station Master Md Jamal Uddin said that three and four number lines (loop) were damaged in the accident. As the main lines were not damaged, regular movement of trains was resumed swiftly in both directions.

Rescue work has been ongoing for 15 hours with the help of two relief trains from Laksam in Cumilla and Akhaura in Brahmanbaria, confirmed Nangalkot Railway Station Master Md Jamal Uddin.

Seven compartments of the train were derailed, six of which were badly damaged. The accident halted Chattogram's rail communication with Sylhet, Chandpur and Mymensingh.

At least 35 people have been injured in the incident.

Nangalkot Upazila Health Officer Devdas Deb said, after hearing the news of the accident, medical teams from Nangalkot, Chauddagram and Sadar Dakshin Upazilas arrived at the scene with ambulances. Fourteen people injured in the accident were treated at Nangalkot Upazila Health Complex, one at Chauddagram Upazila Health Complex and a few sought treatment at local diagnostic centers located at Hasanpur Bazar.

A four-member investigation committee has been formed with Divisional Transport Officer of Chattogram Tarek Md Imran as the convenor.

The inquiry committee has been directed to submit its report within three working days.