1 killed, 25 hurt as train hits bus at level crossing

A person was killed and 25 others were injured after a train hit a bus in Sirajganj Sadar upazila early yesterday.

The victim, Babul Miah, 35, was a resident of Jaldhaka upazila of Nilphamari, said police.

Padma Express, heading for Rajshahi, hit the bus going towards Dhaka around 4:30am at Koddar Level Crossing, said Harunur Rashid, officer-in-charge of Sirajganj Railway Police Station.

On information, police rushed to the spot and rescued the injured people. Some of them were admitted to Sirajganj General Hospital, said the OC.

The level crossing is near the Bangabandhu Bridge West Railway Station.

Contacted, Station Master Md Sarwardi said there was a gateman at the level crossing, but he failed to close the gate on time. The bus got on the level crossing quickly, he added.

Rail communications between Dhaka and southern and northern districts remained suspended for an hour, said  Anwar Hossain, Pakshey divisional transportation officer of Bangladesh Railway.

The railway authorities have formed a three-member committee to investigate the accident, he added.

Meanwhile, traffic movement on Bangabandhu bridge was halted for hours due to dense fog between Wednesday night and yesterday morning.

Three vehicles collided on the bridge in poor visibility.

However, none was hurt.