At least 11 members of a wedding party have been killed and over 50 others injured as a train hit a wedding-party bus at Barobazar under Kaliganj upazila in Jhenaidah early Friday.
Of the deceased, nine have been identified as Sudhir Kumar Biswas, 40, son of late Anil Biswas, Biplab Biswas, 25, son of Jagabandhu Biswas, Shovon De, 25, son of Mahaprasad De, Kowshik, 8, Oishi, 7, Banya Rani, 65, Trisna Rani, 24, Ujjal Das, and Sujoy 31. All the victims hailed from Phulahari village under Sailkupa upaila.
Kaliganj police sub inspector Akimul Islam confirmed the Dhaka Tribune about the causality.
He said: “Khulna-bound Simanta Express train crashed into the passenger bus of Toma Paribahan that was carrying the wedding party members at Borobazar around 4am, while the bus was crossing the rail line. Eight people dead on the spot and more than 50 injured.”
“Two injured people have succumbed to their injuries at Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex and Faridpur Medical College Hospital.The injured have been admitted at Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex, Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital, Faridpur Medical College Hospital and Jessore General Hospital."
Another injured Sujoy, 31, succumbed to his injuries on Friday noon at Jessore general hospital, Kaliganj police Officer-in-Charge Anwar Hossain said.
The police official further said: "The ill-fated wedding party members were returning to Sailkupa after attending a marriage ceremony in Kaliganj. The train dragged the bus nearly 500 yards away from the spot. Firefighters from Jhenaidah, Kotchandpur and Kaliganj participated in rescue operation that has been conducted immediately after the incident."
The train communications on the route has been suspended following the crash for about 7 hours. Later, the rail communication resumed at 11am.
Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner Safiqul Islam, Additional Superintendent of police Maohammad Hasanuzzaman, Lawmaker of Jhenaidah 4 Anwarul Azim Anar, among others, visited the spot.
DC Safiqul said: “A relief train from Khulna is expected to reach here within a short span of time to start the rescue operation and clear the rail line.”
“A three-member probe committee was formed to investigate the incident The committee has been advised to submit the report within three working days.”
Kaligaj police station Officer-in-Charge Anwar Hossain said the police have detained one of the gatemen for his negligence in performing duty.
