11 killed as train hits microbus in Sirajganj

At least eleven people of a bridal party including bride and bridegroom were killed and three others injured critically when a train rammed a microbus at an unprotected level crossing of Panchakroshi area under Ullahpara upzaila of Sirajganj.

According to the police and hospital sources, the accident left five microbus passengers dead on the spot while four others died on the way to the hospital and two succumbed to their injuries at hospital.

Six of the deceased were identified as bridegroom Rajon, 25, of Kandipara village in Sadar upazila, his aunt Nasima, 56, bride Sumaiya Khatun, 20, of Betkandi village in Ullapara, Altaf Hossain, 55, his son Azam, 22, of Kandipara, and microbus driver Swadhin, 28, son of Montu Sheikh of Jamtail village in Kamarkhand upazila.

The tragedy struck the bridal party at 6:45pm on Monday while they were returning to bridegroom’s house at Kandapara from bride’s house at Betkandi after the marriage ceremony.

Officer-in-charge of Sirajganj Government Railway Police Station Harun Majumder said the Dhaka-bound train from Rajshahi, ‘Padma Express, crashed into the microbus around 6:45pm while it was trying to cross the rail tracks through Swalop level crossing.

Kawshik Ahmed, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ullapara police station said the train directly hit the microbus when it was carelessly crossing the rail track.

Police and firefighters recovered the bodies and rescued the injured.

The injured persons were rushed to Ullapara Upazila Health Complex and later shifted to Sirajganj Sadar Hospital.

Mosharraf Hossain, sub inspector of Ullahpara police station said among the injured, some are in critical condition and undergoing treatment in hospital. The identities of injured are not known instantly.

Meanwhile, acting Deputy Commissioner of the district M Tafazzal Hossain directed for providing financial assistance to family members of the victims.

A pall of gloom descended on the locality following the tragic accident.

Source: unb