Oil-laden train derailment in Habiganj damages 40% of wagons; probe body formed

Railway authorities have formed a five-member probe committee after six wagons of an oil-laden train carrying around 2 lakh litres of fuel derailed in Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj, leaving nearly 40% of the train damaged and disrupting rail links with Sylhet for over 20 hours.

The accident occurred around 9pm yesterday (1 April) in the Montola area, according to railway sources. The derailment caused significant damage to the rail tracks and a nearby bridge, prompting emergency repair and recovery operations.

A rescue train from Akhaura reached the site early today (2 April) and began efforts to remove the damaged wagons and restore the tracks. Railway engineering and recovery teams are continuing work at the scene.

ABM Kamruzzaman, divisional railway manager of Dhaka division, said a five-member committee, headed by a divisional transport officer, has been tasked with investigating the incident and submitting a report within three working days.

"Possible causes, including overspeeding, track faults or other factors, are being examined," he said.

Mohsin Uddin, an engineering official at Montola station, said oil-laden trains typically operate at low speeds, but the derailed train was reportedly moving faster than usual, which may have caused wheel slippage leading to the accident.

Meanwhile, large crowds gathered at the site from Wednesday night to collect spilled fuel, with men, women and children seen carrying containers to take oil despite safety risks. The army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed to maintain order, though authorities struggled to stop the looting.

Lieutenant Colonel Tanzilur Rahman, commander of BGB's Habiganj 55 Battalion, said BGB personnel recovered and secured around 1,000 litres of diesel using drums and containers to prevent wastage and ensure safety.

Railway officials said train services on the Sylhet–Chattogram and Sylhet–Dhaka routes have been severely disrupted. Several trains, including Udayan Express, Upaban Express, Kalni Express and Paharika Express, have been cancelled, and normal schedules are unlikely to resume until the recovery operation is completed.