113 killed in last six months: report

Although train services remained suspended for more than two months, at least 113 people were killed and 15 others injured in 105-rail related accidents across the country in the last six months, said a joint report of two rights bodies.

Some 20 women and 11 children were among victims of accidents that took place between January and June, said Green Club of Bangladesh and National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR).

They prepared the report based on news published in 24 national and 10 regional dailies and nine online news portals and news agencies, said a press release yesterday.

Lack of awareness and poor maintenance of level crossings and railway bridges, among other issues, contribute to the continuation of rail-related accidents.

The report  said 29 people lost their lives in January, 44 in February, 19 in March, four in May and 17 in June.

The organisations identified five major reasons behind the rise in railway accidents, including use of phones by pedestrians while crossing rail tracks, negligence of railway employees and poor maintenance of level crossings.

Ashis Kumar Dey, general secretary of NCPSRR, said since passenger trains did not ply from late March to May, the casualties took place in four months.