12 killed in Cumilla bus-train collision, rail link with Chattogram suspended

At least 12 people, including three children, were killed in a horrific collision between a bus and a train in Sadar South, Cumilla. Seven men and two women are among the deceased. At least 10 others were injured in the incident. Following the accident, rail communication between Chattogram and the rest of the country has been temporarily suspended.

The accident occurred around 3:00 am on Sunday, March 21, at a railway crossing in the Paduar Bazar area.

According to police and local sources, a passenger bus named 'Mamun Special' heading from Chapainawabganj to Chattogram collided with a Dhaka-bound train coming from Chattogram. After the collision, the train dragged the bus for about a kilometre, increasing the casualty count.

Upon receiving the news, police and fire service personnel arrived at the scene and began rescue operations. The bodies of the deceased have been sent to Cumilla Medical College Hospital, and the injured have been admitted there.

Eyewitnesses and train passengers alleged that the accident was caused by negligence on the part of the signalman in charge of the railway gate. They also expressed anger that despite multiple calls to the emergency service number 999, no immediate response was received.

Fire Service and Civil Defence Deputy Assistant Director Md Idris said it is initially believed that the bus had moved onto the railway track due to the absence of a proper signal at the railway crossing.

Cumilla EPZ Police Outpost Inspector Mohammad Saiful Islam said rescue operations began at night upon receiving news of the accident.

Dr Ajoy Bhowmik, a physician in the emergency department of Cumilla Medical College Hospital, said 12 bodies had been brought to the hospital so far. Two have been identified, while efforts are underway to identify the others.

Senior railway and police officials visited the scene in the morning.