Two days after a deadly train crash in Brahmanbaria, three compartments of another train, Rangpur Express, caught fire after the derailment in Ullapara on Thursday noon, snapping rail links between Dhaka and northern districts.
The Rangpur-bound train—Rangpur Express—was caught fire after its oil tanker burst following a derailment in Sirajganj injuring at least 10 people.
The Rangpur Express train caught fire at the district’s Ullapara Upazila at around 2 pm, said railway ministry public relations officer Shariful Alam.
He said that two power cars, one air-conditioned and one chair coach carriage were derailed.
Six compartments and engine of the Rangpur Express veered off the tracks while it was passing through Ullahpara Railway Station, Shariful added.
After the accident occurred, Rail communication of Dhaka with the northern and southwestern districts remains suspended following the derailment, till the report was filled.
Railway Ministry Secretary Md Mofazzel Hossain said that lack of pointing signal was the cause behind Rangpur Express’s derailment. “An enquiry committee has been formed and they would identify the reasons behind the accident,” he said.
Ullapara Health Complex and Fire Service employees reported that at least 10 passengers were injured in the accident but any death is yet to be reported.
Station Master Rafiqul Islam said that the train left for Ishwardi from Ullapara but seven carriages along with the engine derailed immediately as it crossed the main platform.
He added that they are looking into whether there was any negligence on the lineman’s part.
District Administration has formed a 5-member probe committee to investigate the incident and asked it submit the report within five working days and the panel was ordered to submit the report within three working days and measures will be initiated if the lineman is found negligent.
The accident comes two days after a collision between two trains at Brahmanbaria’s Kasba Upazila left 16 people dead and more than fifty injured.
Three probe committees, two under officials of Bangladesh Railway and the other by the Sirajganj local administration were also formed yesterday to enquire the accident. – Staff Reporter
UNB adds: Rafiqul Islam, the stationmaster of Ullapara Railway Station, said six bogies and the locomotive of the train derailed near Ullapara railway station around 2:30 pm. Later, three of those caught fire immediately, he said.
Rafiq said a salvage train from Pakshi is on the way to Ullapara to rescue the bogies and restore the train services on the route.
Visiting the spot in the afternoon, Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner Dr Faruk Ahamed said a five-member probe body has been formed with additional deputy commissioner Firoz Mahmud as its head. It was asked to submit a report within five working days.
The other members of the committee are officials concerned of Upazila administration, police and fire service, said Ullapara station master Rafiqul Islam.
General Manager of west zone of Bangladesh Railway Ahsan Ullah and other high officials visited the accident spot.
Ahsanullah said technical glitch might be the cause behind the accident and another probe body will be formed by Bangladesh Railway.
A relief train reached the spot and started rescue operation, he added.
Monjil Haque, deputy managing director of Sirajganj Fire Service, said six units of the fire service doused the fire of the train after frantic efforts.
Earlier on Tuesday, at least 16 passengers were killed and over 100 others injured in a collision of two trains at Mandbagh in Brahmanbaria.
The deadly collision between Dhaka-bound Turnanishita from Chattogram and Chattogram-bound Udayan Express from Sylhet took place around 3 am.
source: UNB
