11 killed as train hits wedding bus in Jhenidah
11 killed as train hits wedding bus in Jhenidah
2 children among the dead, 60 others injured
At least 11 people including two children were killed and 60 were injured as a train hit a bus carrying a wedding party while it was crossing the rail lines at Barobazar of Kaliganj upazila in Jhenidah early today.
The deceased were identified as Sanjoy Kumar, 34, Sudhir Kumar Biswas, 40, Sujoy Kumar, 34, Biplob Biswas, 25, Shovon De, 25, Koushik Das 8, Oishi, 7, Banya Rani, 65, Trisna Rani, 24, Subal Kumar Biswas age around, 45, all hailing from Phulahari village of Sailkupa upazila, reports our Jhenidah correspondent.
Anwar Hossain officer in-charge at Kaliganj police station said a bus of Toma Paribahan was heading towards Phulahari village in Shailkupa after a marriage ceremony at Sako Mothanpur village.
The Khulna-bound ‘Simanta Express’ from Syedpur of Nilphamari hit the bus at Barobazar rail crossing around 3:40am leaving nine people dead on the spot while Ujjal Das, 15, succumbed to his injuries at Kaliaganj upazila health complex later, the OC said.
The injured were taken to the Jhenaidah sadar hospital, Jessore General Hospital and Kaliganj local health complex, the OC said. He added, Sujoy Kumar died at the Jessore General Hospital at about 11:30am while undergoing treatment.
The bus was pushed about half a kilometer away from the spot from the impact of the train, the OC added.
The bus was carrying a wedding party from Shailkupa upazila to Shako village in Kaliganj upazila. The bride and bridegroom were safe as they were travelling by a microbus.
Rail communication on the Khulna-Dhaka and other routes, which were suspended for at least seven hours following the accident, resumed at about 11:00am as a salvage train from Khulna rushed to the spot and rescued the train, Motabbar Ali, station master of Mobarakganj railway station said.
Jhenaidah deputy Commissioner Safiqul Islam, Additional superintendent of police Maohammad Hasanuzzaman, Awami League Lawmaker of Jhenaidah-4 constituency Anwarul Azim Anar and others visited the spot.
Barobazar station master Turki Ahmed and its gateman Humayan Kabir were suspended instantly. Later, they were detained by police for negligence of duties and responsibilities, District Commissioner, Shafiqul Islam said.
A three-member probe body has been formed, headed by Additional District Commissioner Nasrin Jahan. The probe body has been asked to submit its report within the next three-days, the DC added.