Rail services between Sylhet and the rest of the country resumed nearly 19 hours after a fuel-laden train derailed in Madhabpur, Habiganj.
Train movement returned to normal at around 4pm on Thursday. The Sylhet-bound Parabat Express was the first to pass the accident site after services resumed.
The disruption began around 9:30pm on Wednesday, when six wagons of a fuel-carrying train derailed while crossing the Montola railway station in Madhabpur. One of the wagons fell into a nearby canal, halting rail communication with Sylhet.
Confirming the matter, Bangladesh Railway’s Dhaka Divisional Manager Kamruzzaman said a recovered train had been dispatched from Akhaura. “After nearly 19 hours of effort, the derailed wagons were recovered, and train services on the route resumed at around 4pm,” he said.
Due to the incident, several passenger trains on the Dhaka–Sylhet and Chittagong–Sylhet routes remained stranded at different stations, causing significant inconvenience to passengers. Services resumed from 4pm as the trains continued towards their destinations.
Shaistaganj Railway Station Master Liton Chandra De said rail links with Sylhet had remained suspended following the accident. The Kalni Express, which was scheduled to depart Sylhet for Dhaka at 6am, left at 9am but remained halted at Shaistaganj Junction. Meanwhile, the Dhaka-bound Parabat Express had been stuck at Harashpur station before continuing its journey.
Following the incident, Bangladesh Railway formed a five-member investigation committee led by Dhaka divisional official Mehedi Hasan, which has been asked to submit its report within three working days.
Separately, the district administration formed another five-member probe committee headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Habiganj, with a five-working-day deadline. Madhabpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Zahid Bin Qasem confirmed the matter.
The fuel train was travelling from Chittagong to Sylhet when the accident occurred. The derailment damaged around 500 metres of railway track. Diesel leaked from the tankers, prompting locals to rush to collect the fuel. Police, BGB, and members of the Bangladesh Army later brought the situation under control.
