A collision between Dhaka-bound train Balaka Express and a sand truck in Mymensingh’s Shambhuganj at around 1:30pm on Monday killed four people including the truck driver.
Anowar Hossain, inspector (investigations) at the Kotwali Model Police Station confirmed the matter to The Business Post.
He said that four people were killed and three others injured in the collision. The injured were admitted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.
Jahangir Alam, officer-in-charge of Mymensingh Railway Police Station said, “One of the victims was the truck driver Sajib, 28, son of Sajahan from Trishal. However, the identities of the other three could not be confirmed. The injured are undergoing treatment. No case was filed in this regard.”
Law enforcement officials including the Fire service, Police, Rapid Action Battalion and rescue team came to the spot after receiving information about the incident.
The fire service recovered the bodies from the spot.
According to spectators, the sand-laden truck was passing an unprotected level crossing at Raghurampur when the incoming Balaka Express train from Durgapur's Jaria rammed the truck.
The truck overturned and fell on the side of the railway line. The train stopped about a kilometre away from the spot.
A rescue engine hauled away the crushed one at around 3:30pm. The relief engine addressed the damage sustained by the train during the collision.
Train services on Mymensingh-Netrokona and Bhairab railways and traffic on Mymensingh-Kishoreganj resumed after two hours.
Md Mofazzal Hossain, Deputy Assistant Director of Mymensingh Fire Service confirmed the matter.
The tragic incident serves as a sombre reminder of the critical importance of ensuring safety measures at railway crossings to prevent such devastating accidents. As the community grapples with the loss, authorities will likely conduct thorough investigations to determine the cause of the collision and implement preventive measures for future railway safety.
