TL;DR:
- Five passengers were killed when a Dhaka-bound Chattola Express train collided with an auto-rickshaw at an unauthorized railway crossing in Cumilla’s Burichong Upazila on November 26, 2024.
- The fatal accident occurred around 10:00 AM in the Kalikapur area when the auto-rickshaw driver attempted to cross the tracks hastily, resulting in four immediate deaths and one death en route to the hospital.
- The victims were identified as Rafiq Mia, Lutfa Begum, Sanu Mia, Safarjan Begum, and Saju Mia – all residents of Bakshimul village, with three additional passengers sustaining injuries.
- The rural railway crossing had no safety measures or gateman to regulate traffic, highlighting the ongoing safety concerns at unmonitored railway crossings in rural areas.
A tragic accident claimed five lives when a Dhaka-bound train collided with a battery-operated auto-rickshaw at an unauthorized railway crossing in Cumilla’s Burichong Upazila on Tuesday morning.
The fatal incident occurred around 10:00 AM at the Kalikapur area when the Chattola Express train struck the three-wheeler as it attempted to cross the tracks. The victims, all residents of Bakshimul village, have been identified as Rafiq Mia, Lutfa Begum, Sanu Mia, Safarjan Begum, and Saju Mia.
“Four of the passengers were killed on the spot and one more died on the way to a local hospital. At least three others were injured in the incident,” confirmed Burichong Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Azizul Haque.
The collision occurred at an unprotected rural railway crossing that lacked a gateman to regulate traffic and provide signals to vehicles approaching from either direction. According to police officials, the auto-rickshaw driver attempted to cross the tracks hurriedly just as the train was passing through the area.
The impact of the collision was severe, resulting in the complete destruction of the three-wheeler. OC Azizul reported that the victims’ bodies were severely mutilated in the accident.
Local authorities have notified the railway police, who will conduct the necessary legal proceedings. The incident highlights the ongoing safety concerns at unauthorized railway crossings in rural areas, where the absence of proper safety measures continues to pose risks to commuters.
The injured victims have been transported to a local hospital for treatment. Railway authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this deadly collision.
Source: TBS News
