Thursday, July 2, 2020 | ePaper
Train derails again at Ullahpara
7 bogies catch fire, 20 injured: Dhaka's link with north-south region halted for 8 hrs
Seven bogies of Rangpur Express train derailed and caught fire in Ullahpara of Sirajganj on Thursday leaving 20 people injured just two days after deadly train crash in Brahmanbaria.
Five compartments (bogies) and engine of intercity train-Rangpur Express-caught fire after its derailment at Ullahpara Railway Station in Sirajganj district on Thursday afternoon.
At least 20 passengers were injured as the compartments caught fire after derailment of the express in Ullahpara upazila of Sirajganj in the afternoon.
Rail communications of Dhaka with the northern and southwestern districts remained suspended for around eight hours following the derailment till filing the report at 10:00pm.
Rail services between Dhaka and the northern region have been suspended as the train derailed in Ullahpara Rail Station, said Shahidul Islam, Chief Operating Superintendent of the Railways (West).
According to the official, the accident occurred after the train's engine and power car caught fire.
"It could take until midnight to clear the tracks and restore the rail links," said Shahidul.
But no deaths or casualties have been reported so far.
Six compartments and engine of the Rangpur Express veered off the tracks while it was passing through Ullahpara Railway Station around 2:10pm, said Shariful Alam, Senior Information Officer of the Railways Ministry.
At least six units of Fire Service and Civil Defence rushed there and were trying to douse the fire, Â
said Sirajganj's Fire Service and Civil Defence Deputy Assistant Director.The fire fighters were continuing a rescue operation till last reported, reports our District Correspondent.
A relief train from Pabna's Ishwardi left to salvage the derailed train, around 3:15pm, according to him.
Ullahpara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Arifuzzaman said that the accident took place because of mistake in pointing signal at the station.
He said that a number of passengers have been injured in the accident.
Meanwhile, the Railways Secretary Mofazzel Hossain said there was no report of casualty and the fire brought under control.
Rail communications of Dhaka with the northern and southwestern districts remained suspended following the derailment.
The accident took place within a span of two days of another fatal train accident in Kasba Upazila of Brahmanbaria district.
The accident occurred just after the Rangpur-bound train, coming from Dhaka, left the platform of the Ullahpara Rail Station around 2:30pm, said Assistant Station Master of Ullahpara Rail Station Rafiqul Islam.
"After receiving the clearance from the lineman, the train left for Rangpur on the Sirajganj-Ishwardi track. However, as soon as it left Ullahpara Rail Station, the locomotive suddenly lifted from the ground, causing seven bogies to derail," Rafiqul said.
However, none of the bogies fell sideways, he said. "Because of the accident, the AC bogie 'Taponokul', and its adjacent bogie, suddenly caught fire."
Meanwhile, three probe bodies have been formed to investigate the incident, he added.
Earlier, 16 people were killed and over 100 injured as an intercity train of 'Turna Nishitha' collided with 'Udayan Express' in Mandobhag area early Tuesday.
