Three probe committees formed over Cumilla train accident

Three separate investigation committees have been formed to determine the actual cause of the horrific train accident in Cumilla. Two of the committees were formed by the railway authorities, while the district administration formed the third. All committees have been instructed to submit their reports within the next 72 hours.

On Sunday morning, March 22, the Cumilla district administration formed a five-member investigation committee, headed by Additional District Magistrate Md Jafar Sadiq Chowdhury. Committee members include Assistant Director of BRTA Faruk Alam, Officer-in-Charge of Mynamati Highway Police A. Momin, Station Master of Cumilla Railway, and Fire Service Assistant Director Iqbal Hossain.

Meanwhile, the railway authorities have separately formed two investigation committees – one divisional and one zonal. Each committee has six members, totalling 12 members.

The divisional committee is headed by Chattogram Divisional Transport Officer Anisur Rahman. Members include Divisional Engineer-1 Abu Rafi Mohammad Imtiaz Hossain, Divisional Mechanical Engineer (Loco) Rezwan-ul-Islam, Divisional Signal and Telecommunication Engineer Ashikur Rahman, Divisional Medical Officer Dr Tahamina Yasmin, and RNF Commandant Md Shahid Ullah.

On the other hand, the zonal committee has been convened by Chief Operating Superintendent (East) Mohammad Safiqur Rahman. Members include Chief Engineer Md Tanvirul Islam, Chief Mechanical Engineer Sadekur Rahman, Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer Tarek Mohammad Shams Tushar, Chief Medical Officer Dr Ibn e Safi Abdul Ahad, and Chief Commandant Zahirul Islam.

It is noteworthy that around 3:00 am on Saturday night, a Dhaka-bound mail train from Chattogram struck a passenger bus of 'Mamun Transport' at the Paduar Bazar railway crossing in Cumilla. Following the collision, the train dragged the bus for about half a kilometre. Seven people died at the scene, and the death toll later rose to 12.

After the accident, rail communication between Chattogram and the rest of the country was temporarily suspended. A relief train from Akhaura participated in the rescue operation. Additionally, the Fire Service, Army, Police and RAB conducted joint rescue operations.

Rail services returned to normal around 8:00 am. Two gatekeepers at the railway crossing have been dismissed in connection with the incident. Cumilla District Commissioner Md Reza Hasan has announced financial assistance of Tk 25,000 for the families of each deceased.