Twenty people have been injured as five bogies, along with the engine of a Chittagong-bound train, derailed at Shamshernagar in Moulvibazar early Thursday.
The incident took place amid a countrywide indefinite blockade enforced by BNP, which was thrown out of the parliament as it boycotted the last elections.
The rail communications between Sylhet, Dhaka and Chittagong have been suspended since 3am.
Sylhet Rail Station Manager Abdur Razzak said: “Five bogies, along with the engine of the Udayan Express, went off the tracks around 3am as the fishplates of the Shamshernagar track were removed. It was carrying 700 passengers."
He said a relief train is working to repair the tracks.
The official said: “Being informed, two fire departement teams from Moulvibazar and Kulaura went to the spot and started the rescue operation. The injured are undergoing treatment in local hospitals. ”
The rail communication is expected to become functional by 1pm, he added.