Child, infant among 5 killed as train rams CNG at Cox's Bazar level crossing

Five people, including a child and an infant, were killed after a train rammed into a CNG-run autorickshaw at a level crossing in Rashidnagar, Ramu upazila of Cox's Bazar today (2 August).

The incident took place around 1:15pm at the Dhulichhara rail crossing on the Dhaka–Cox's Bazar route, Ramu Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tayebur Rahman told The Business Standard.

The deceased have been identified as autorickshaw driver Habib Ullah, 40, Renu Akter, 32, Asmaul Husna, 27, her children aged 13 months and 3 years.

According to Abdul Malek Masum, acting chairman of Rashidnagar Union Parishad, the accident occurred when a train from Cox's Bazar Iconic Rail Station hit a CNG-run autorickshaw crossing the tracks en route to Bharuakhali.

The train dragged the autorickshaw nearly one kilometre, leaving the vehicle completely mangled and killing all five occupants on the spot. After the collision, the train continued on its route without stopping. 

Photo: Collected

Meanwhile, around 2:30pm, another train, the Parjatak Express, travelling from Chattogram to Cox's Bazar using the same route, was blocked by angry locals at the site in protest. Later, police disperse the crowd.

Md Jasim Uddin Chowdhury, additional superintendent of police (traffic) and spokesperson for Cox's Bazar district police, confirmed that the bodies have been recovered.

"Police and Army personnel arrived at the scene and dispersed the agitated crowd around 5pm, after which train operations resumed," he added.

Following the accident, the Eastern Railway authorities have formed a three-member investigation committee.

Confirming the matter, Eastern Railway General Manager Md Sabuktigin said the committee has been instructed to submit its report within three days, 

The committee is headed by Md Moniruzzaman, assistant transport officer of Eastern Railway.