Bangladesh Railway (BR) has suspended the locomaster, assistant locomaster, and guard of the container train involved in the Bhairab train collision due to their failure to follow the signal, which resulted in an accident that claimed the lives of at least 17 individuals.
BR Director General Quamrul Islam told the media that the railway authorities have taken steps following a preliminary investigation.
He also said BR has formed two separate committees to investigate the incident.
The Dhaka Divisional office of Bangladesh Railway has formed a four-member committee to investigate the train accident.
Dhaka Divisional Transport Officer Khairul Kabir will lead the committee.
The committee was asked to submit a report within three working days.
BR's East Zonal Office in Chittagong formed a five-member probe committee, headed by Shahidul Islam, Chief Operating Superintendent of East Zone.
The committee was asked to submit the report within five working days, the DG said.
According to BR, the Egarosindhur Express, a passenger train, arrived at Bhairab Rail Station from Kishoreganj and stopped to change direction. At around 3:30pm, the passenger train left the station to switch to the Dhaka-bound track. But just before it completed the switch, a Chittagong-bound container train collided with the last three carriages of the Egarosindhur Express.
The Chittagong-bound container train had overshot the signal, the DG added.
Two rear coaches of the Egarosindhur Express train were severely damaged. Witnesses reported that many people were trapped under the train, with several of the injured individuals lying beneath the damaged coaches.
Bhairab Station Master Yusuf said: “The incident took place at around 3.30pm. The death toll is expected to rise further. Rail connectivity from Dhaka to Chittagong, Sylhet and Kishoreganj has been suspended.”
Police and fire service personnel are working at the spot to rescue the victims.