On Monday, October 23, 2023, just outside the capital city of Dhaka, Bangladesh, a cargo train collided with a passenger train, resulting in significant casualties.
The accident has left at least 17 people dead and has injured over 100, as confirmed by local fire officials.
Fire official Mosharraf Hossain, stationed at Bhairab in the central district of Kishoreganj, where the incident took place at around 3:30 p.m., shared details about the rescue operations. He reported that both professional rescuers and local residents were actively involved in extracting passengers from the mangled remains of the train cars.
Elaborating on the details of the crash, another senior fire official, Azizul Haque Rajon, described the sequence of events. The accident occurred when two rear carriages of the Dhaka-bound Egarosindur Godhuli Express passenger train were suddenly hit by a Chittagong-bound freight train. Speaking from the scene via phone, Rajon said it was yet to be determined how many passengers remained trapped inside the wreckage.
Train accidents, unfortunately, are not a rarity in Bangladesh. These mishaps are commonly attributed to factors such as unsupervised railway crossings, lack of effective signaling, and subpar track conditions.
As a consequence of the accident, train service to other parts of the country has been temporarily suspended, causing further disruptions to the regular flow of transportation.
The number of casualties might continue to rise, according to officials. The extensive damage caused by the crash and the fact that some passengers might still be trapped in the wrecked compartments has made the rescue operations particularly challenging. Efforts are ongoing to ensure that all trapped passengers are safely extracted and provided with the necessary medical attention.
The causes leading up to this grave accident remain unclear. Investigations will be crucial in ascertaining the sequence of events and determining any lapses in safety protocols. Accountability will be essential to prevent such incidents in the future and to ensure that the railway infrastructure in the country is improved upon.