Dhaka 3:44 am, Thursday, 26 March 2026

67 Dead in 8 Rail Accidents, Blame Falls on Lower Staff

Staff Correspondent:
  • Update Time : 11:06:50 am, Sunday, 22 March 2026
  • / 55 Time View

A tourist train traveling from Cox’s Bazar collided with four CNG-run auto-rickshaws, two motorcycles, and an ice cream van, killing two people, including a two-year-old child in their parents’ arms. At least 16 others were injured. A railway investigation committee later held the train driver and assistant driver responsible for the incident.

On September 2, 2018, early in the morning, the Dhaka-bound Bijoy Express struck a passenger bus at the Baraiyarhat rail crossing and dragged it nearly half a kilometer. Two bus passengers died on the spot, and about 20 others were injured. The accident occurred because the crossing barrier was not lowered, with negligence attributed to the gateman.

Following a recent train accident in Cumilla, railway officials said initial findings suggest negligence by the gateman. However, a formal investigation committee has been formed to determine whether others were also responsible.

A similar tragedy occurred on July 29, 2022, in Mirsarai, Chattogram, when a train hit a microbus returning from a trip to Khaiyachhara Waterfall, leaving 11 people dead.

Transport expert Professor Md. Shamsul Haque of BUET criticized the way such incidents are investigated. He pointed out that disciplinary actions are usually taken only against lower-level employees, many of whom reportedly go months without pay, while higher কর্মকর্তাদের কোনো জবাবদিহি করা হয় না। Investigation committees are typically made up of railway কর্মকর্তাদেরই, who often overlook internal দায়। In contrast, in many other countries, senior officials take responsibility and may even resign after major accidents.

He emphasized that without holding top কর্মকর্তাদের accountable, punishing only lower-level staff will not prevent future accidents. Otherwise, such tragedies will continue, especially during festive travel periods.

The professor also described the accident as a test for the current government, questioning whether it will follow old patterns or introduce lasting safety solutions. He noted that despite significant spending, passengers still cannot travel safely.

Railway State Minister Habibur Rashid said that steps such as building underpasses and overpasses at crossings will be taken to prevent accidents. He added that disciplinary action has already been taken against two gatemen, and action will also be taken against the station master if negligence is proven. He also mentioned that an underpass project in the Cumilla area had been planned earlier but was never implemented.

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67 Dead in 8 Rail Accidents, Blame Falls on Lower Staff

Update Time : 11:06:50 am, Sunday, 22 March 2026

A tourist train traveling from Cox’s Bazar collided with four CNG-run auto-rickshaws, two motorcycles, and an ice cream van, killing two people, including a two-year-old child in their parents’ arms. At least 16 others were injured. A railway investigation committee later held the train driver and assistant driver responsible for the incident.

On September 2, 2018, early in the morning, the Dhaka-bound Bijoy Express struck a passenger bus at the Baraiyarhat rail crossing and dragged it nearly half a kilometer. Two bus passengers died on the spot, and about 20 others were injured. The accident occurred because the crossing barrier was not lowered, with negligence attributed to the gateman.

Following a recent train accident in Cumilla, railway officials said initial findings suggest negligence by the gateman. However, a formal investigation committee has been formed to determine whether others were also responsible.

A similar tragedy occurred on July 29, 2022, in Mirsarai, Chattogram, when a train hit a microbus returning from a trip to Khaiyachhara Waterfall, leaving 11 people dead.

Transport expert Professor Md. Shamsul Haque of BUET criticized the way such incidents are investigated. He pointed out that disciplinary actions are usually taken only against lower-level employees, many of whom reportedly go months without pay, while higher কর্মকর্তাদের কোনো জবাবদিহি করা হয় না। Investigation committees are typically made up of railway কর্মকর্তাদেরই, who often overlook internal দায়। In contrast, in many other countries, senior officials take responsibility and may even resign after major accidents.

He emphasized that without holding top কর্মকর্তাদের accountable, punishing only lower-level staff will not prevent future accidents. Otherwise, such tragedies will continue, especially during festive travel periods.

The professor also described the accident as a test for the current government, questioning whether it will follow old patterns or introduce lasting safety solutions. He noted that despite significant spending, passengers still cannot travel safely.

Railway State Minister Habibur Rashid said that steps such as building underpasses and overpasses at crossings will be taken to prevent accidents. He added that disciplinary action has already been taken against two gatemen, and action will also be taken against the station master if negligence is proven. He also mentioned that an underpass project in the Cumilla area had been planned earlier but was never implemented.