Death toll in Bhairab train accident reaches 20

At least 20 people were killed and several others were injured after a container train collided with passenger train in Bhairab of Kishoreganj on Monday afternoon.

The accident occurred when a container train headed towards Chattogram collided with the Dhaka-bound Egarosindhur Express at the Jagannathpur railway crossing, causing 20 people dead and many other injured.

Twenty bodies have, so far, been recovered from inside the wreckage of the three badly mangled compartments and the number of casualties could increase, he added.

Alim Hossain Shikder, Officer-in-Charge of Bhairab Railway Station, acknowledging the matter said being informed fire service personnel and police reached the spot and started rescue operations.

A total of 14 units of the fire service are conducing rescue operation, said Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence media chief Shahjahan Sikder.

Kishoreganj Railway Station Master Md Yusuf said the collision between two trains in Bhairab occurred as the container train disregarded a signal.

The rail communications on the Dhaka-Chattogram, Dhaka-Sylhet, Dhaka-Noakhali, Mymensingh-Chattagram routes have been suspended. Meanwhile, a rescue train from Akhaura has already dispatched for the spot.

Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad, Police Super Mohammad Russell Sheikh and Bhairab Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Sadikur Rahman Sabuj reached the spot and are supervising the rescue work.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad said that the control room has already been opened at the accident site.

Each family of the deceased will be given Tk 25,000. All the injured are being given treatment.