Trains collide in Sirajganj

Dhaka’s rail links with the northern districts snapped after the accident. Two passenger trains rammed into each other early Sunday at Ullaparha in Sirajganj, leaving at least two passengers dead. At least 12 others were injured, when the ‘Ekta Express’ and ‘Lalmoni Express’ going in opposite directions ended up on the same track. Sub-Inspector (SI) Abdul Jalil of Ullaparha police station said the head-on collision happened around 3am on Sunday morning. Rail links between Dhaka and the northern districts were snapped after the collision. Altaf Hossain, 35, hailing from Natore’s Harishpur, and Mojibur Rahman, 40, from Lalmonirhat, were killed in the collision. RAB and policemen were joined by four firefighting units and many locals in the rescue effort. SI Jalil said four compartments of the Dinajpur-bound ‘Ekta Express’ and the Dhaka-bound’ Lalmoni Express’ were thrown off the tracks at the Ullaparha station. Four passengers trapped in these compartments were later rescued but Altaf and Mojibur died on the spot. Many others were injured as they tried to get off the train after the accident. Pabna fire service’s Assistant Director Saidul Islam said they recovered two bodies and rescued 12 injured passengers, who were hospitalised. Islam said ‘negligence of duty’ by rail officials led to the head-on collision. A compartment of the ‘Ekta Express’ climbed over its engine on impact. A rescue train is trying to clear the wreckage since 7am, Ullaparha police OC Tajul Huda said. – bdnews24.com