On Monday, October 23, 2023, just outside the capital city of Dhaka, Bangladesh, two trains – a passenger train and a cargo train – collided, resulting in a major calamity.
The aftermath of this accident has resulted in the death of at least 17 individuals and left over 100 injured. This was confirmed by the fire department stationed in the region.
Bhairab’s fire official, Mosharraf Hossain, provided insights into the rescue efforts in Kishoreganj’s central district, where the incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. Both professional rescue teams and local community members collaborated to rescue passengers from the severely damaged train compartments.
Delving deeper into the crash specifics, senior fire official Azizul Haque Rajon recounted the sequence. The Dhaka-bound Egarosindur Godhuli Express passenger train’s last two carriages were struck by a Chittagong-bound cargo train. Rajon, who spoke from the accident site over the phone, mentioned that the exact number of passengers still trapped inside the train cars remained uncertain.
It’s worth noting that Bangladesh has experienced a history of train accidents, which are often attributed to factors such as unmonitored railway crossings, inefficient signaling systems, and deteriorating rail conditions.
Following this accident, the train services connecting different parts of Bangladesh have been put on hold, disrupting the routine transportation network.
Fire officials and rescue teams on the ground anticipate that the number of casualties may increase. The extensive destruction from the collision, combined with the possibility of passengers still trapped, makes the rescue process all the more demanding. The priority remains to rescue every individual and ensure they receive the necessary medical care.
While the exact causes of this severe accident are yet to be identified, thorough investigations will play a pivotal role. These findings will shed light on potential safety protocol breaches and provide directions for enhancing the railway system in Bangladesh.
