Rail minister: Turna Nishita loco master was not sleeping

Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan has said it seems the loco master of Turna Nishita Express was not sleeping while it hit the intercity train Udayan Express.

The minister came up with the presumption while talking to journalists at Rail Bhaban in Dhaka on Thursday.

He said: “The train [TurnaNishita] was moving at a speed of 20-25kmp during the collision. Prior to it, the speed was more than 60kmp."

“All the information was recorded by the automation system,” he said.

The minister said everything will be cleared after the probe reports.

However, he hoped the probe reports will be assessed in the next week and those will be disclosed later.

On Tuesday, 16 people, including five children, were killed and scores injured in a collision between the two intercity trains in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria. 

Top government officials have held the loco master and other staff onboard the intercity train Turna Nishita responsible for the fatal train accident.

Meanwhile, the authorities suspended Turna Nishita’s loco master Taser Uddin, assistant loco master Apu Deb, and guard Abdur Rahman.

At least five committees have been formed to investigate the deadly mishap.