Mirsarai tragedy: Another probe body also finds gateman, driver responsible

Another probe body formed over the Mirsarai tragedy has also found the gateman and driver of the microbus responsible for the accident that killed 13.

The committee, led by additional chief engineer (east zone) Railway Arman Hossain, submitted its report today (August 23, 2022), our Chattogram correspondent reports quoting Jahagir Hossain, general manager (GM) of Railway east zone.

"Once the probe report is approved, we will implement the recommendations," he added.

The report accused Saddam Hossain, gateman of the Borotakia rail crossing, who is now in prison, and deceased Golam Mostafa, driver of the microbus, who was killed in the accident, of being responsible for the collision and deaths.

The microbus was carrying 18 passengers when it had a maximum capacity of 12. This tragic accident happened due to non-observance of motor vehicle laws including playing loud music inside the microbus, the report said.

The report included 11 recommendations.

The main recommendations are installation of a loud alarm sounding system at level crossings, construction of overpass or underpass at gates and installation of CC cameras at gates, remove all illegal markets, shops, sign boards from gates.

Earlier, a train hit a microbus on a level crossing in Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram on July 29, 2022 and 11 people died on the spot and seven others were injured.

Of those injured, two died while undergoing treatment. So far, 13 people have been killed in this incident.

Then, the Bangladesh Railway (BR) formed two probe committees to investigate the accident.

Earlier, on August 15, 2022, a committee, led by divisional traffic officer (DTO) of Railway of Chattogram Ansar Ali, submitted its report. It also found gateman and driver responsible.