3 killed, 9 injured in three-way accident in Chattogram

Three people, including a policeman, were killed and nine others injured when a speeding train hit a bus and two auto-rickshaws at a railway level crossing in the port city of Chattogram Saturday morning.

Witnesses said the train was approaching towards Chattogram rail station from Najirhat around 10:30 am and different vehicles were waiting on both sides of Jhautala level crossing when the train approaching.

The accident occurred as the bus tried to drive through the level-crossing hitting two auto-rickshaws from behind and dragged those onto the level crossing.

Sarwar Alam, officer-in-charge (OC) of the Chattogram Railway Police, said the train crashed into the bus and the two auto-rickshaws.

“Two people were killed on the spot. And the 10 injured have been admitted to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital (CMCH),” the OC said. The train was a diesel-electric multiple unit one, he added.

Another injured man died at the CMCH around 4:45 pm, said inspector (investigation) of Pachanlaish Police Station Sadiqur Rahman.

The deceased were identified as police constable (Traffic North) Monir Hossian of Noakhali district, Bahauddin Ahmed, an engineer of Dhali Constructions and Sazzad,19, a college student.

Meanwhile, a three-member panel, headed by Additional Superintendent of Chattogram Railway Mohammad Abdul Gafur, was formed to look into the incident, said Hasan Chowdhury, assistant superintendent of Chattogram Railway Police. Shaheda, a witness, said the gateman of the level-crossing was found sitting in an adjacent shop when the accident occurred.