On Monday, October 23, 2023, an alarming incident occurred just outside Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital city, when a cargo train collided with a passenger train.
This devastating collision led to the death of 17 people and left over 100 injured, as validated by the local fire brigade.
Sharing information about the rescue measures, Mosharraf Hossain, a fire officer from Bhairab, located in the central district of Kishoreganj, indicated that the event took place at approximately 3:30 p.m. The rescue efforts witnessed the active participation of trained rescue workers alongside community members, striving to save passengers from the damaged train cars.
Offering a detailed account, Azizul Haque Rajon, a senior fire officer, noted that the collision occurred when a Chittagong-bound cargo train abruptly hit the two final carriages of the Egarosindur Godhuli Express, which was headed to Dhaka. Reporting from the collision site via telephone, Rajon stated the number of individuals still trapped inside was not yet known.
Train incidents have previously occurred frequently in Bangladesh. Common causes include unguarded railway intersections, ineffective signaling methods, and poorly maintained tracks.
As a direct result of this event, railway services extending to other regions of Bangladesh have been momentarily halted, leading to transportation disruptions.
Due to the scale of the accident, fire and rescue officials anticipate the casualty figures might grow. With severe damage and potential entrapment of passengers, the rescue mission faces significant challenges. The main objective remains to rescue everyone and ensure they’re given medical treatment.
Identifying the factors contributing to this accident is of paramount importance. Comprehensive inquiries will be instrumental in determining if there were any oversights in safety measures and in outlining steps to bolster Bangladesh’s railway system.
