35 injured as Sonar Bangla Express hits freight train in Cumilla

At least 35 people have been injured after Dhaka-bound Sonar Bangla Express hit a freight train at Hasanpur Railway Station of Cumilla's Nangalkot. 

Around five compartmentsof the Sonar Bangla Express as well as its engine derailed, halting Chattogram's rail communication with Sylhet, Chandpur and Mymensingh.

The freight train veered off the track in the accident occurred at 5:45pm Sunday, Liakat Ali Majumder, deputy assistant engineer of Cumilla Railway, told The Business Standard.

Cumilla railway insiders said due to an error after a power cut at the Hasanpur station, the Sonar Bangla Express was diverted to platform no 4 where the freight train was already stationary.

The freight train was stationed at the fouling mark, which is a safe boundary of the station. As per the rules, trains traveling in the same direction should only leave after clearing the line. It appears the guard on-duty at the station failed to provide the proper signal for the train to proceed, said another source. 

However, Hasanpur station-in-charge Sohag could not be reached for comment.

Nangalkot Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rayhan Mehbub said four individuals who were seriously injured in the incident have been admitted to the Cumilla Medical College Hospital for treatment. 

Those who sustained minor injuries are currently receiving primary treatment at local diagnostic centres, he said.

A rescue train from Laksham Railway Junction is on the way to the accident spot, he added.