12 killed as train rams bus

At least 12 people were killed and eight others injured as a train hit a bus on a level crossing near Joypurhat town yesterday morning.

The gateman had left the crossing's gate open, said police after primary investigation.

All the victims were travelling on the bus.

The accident happened in Joypurhat's Puranpoil area around 7:00am when intercity train Uttara Express from Dinajpur was on its way to Rajshahi, said police quoting locals.

As the train was approaching the crossing, the bus, which was heading towards Dinajpur's Hakimpur, tried to drive through, finding the crossing's gate open, they said.

The train then hit the bus and dragged it for around 300 metres.

On information, members from Joypurhat Fire Service and Civil Station, and BGB personnel from nearby Joypurhat 29 Battalion rushed there. Locals joined the rescue efforts.

Sirajul Islam, station-in-charge of Joypurhat Fire Service and Civil Defence, said they found 10 bodies on the spot while 10 bus passengers were found injured.

There were other passengers in the bus, but they managed to get out before the collision.

Md Jabed, a witness, said the bus driver tried to drive through the level crossing although the approaching train was whistling continuously.

The gate of the crossing was open and the gateman was not there, he said.

Alamgir Jahan, officer-in-charge of Joypurhat Sadar Police Station, also said the bus driver drove through the gate since it was kept open.

The gateman was absent, he said.

Citing preliminary investigation, Shahidul Islam, divisional railway manager of Bangladesh Railway (Paksey Zone), however, said although the gateman, Nayon Miah, was present there, he failed to discharge his duty.

"So we have suspended him. Further actions will be taken upon receiving

an investigation report," he told The Daily Star last night.

The bus driver is also responsible for the accident, he added.

He further said a four-member probe committee, led by Nasir Uddin, divisional transport officer of railways (Paksey), was asked to submit its report on the incident in three working days.

"We hope to get the report earlier," he said.

Talking to this paper earlier in the day, Sardar Sahadat Ali, additional director general (operations) of BR, said, "The level crossing in Puranpoil is authorised and manned. The probe will determine who was at fault."

Six of the 12 deceased could be identified till last night. They are: Mamunur Rashid, the bus driver, of Harail village in Joypurhat Sadar upazila, Ramjan Ali of Hitmi village, Sarwar Hossain of Panchbibi upazila in Joypurhat, Sazu Mia of Chawk Billa village, Babu Mia of Bijoykandi village in Raninagar upazila of Naogaon.

Faruk Hossain, Ziaur Rahman Zia of Panchbibi, and Julhas Islam of Matikata village of Tangail, were among the injured, who were being treated at Joypurhat Modern Hospital.

Shaheedul Islam, divisional railway manager  (Pakshi) of BR, said railway communication on the route was snapped after the accident. The communication was restored around 3:00pm, he added.

Talking to The Daily Star over the phone, he also said Nayon was appointed as gateman on a temporary basis.

Replying to a question, he said he heard that the gateman was absent when the accident happened. "Action will be taken if the probe body finds this to be true."

Meanwhile, Joypurhat deputy commissioner's office also formed a three-member committee, led by Md Reza Hasan, additional district magistrate, to find the cause of the accident.

It was asked to file its report in three working days.

The DC office would pay Tk 20,000 to each of the victims who died.

Deputy Commissioner Md Shariful Islam and Superintendent of Police Salam Kabir of the district visited the spot after the accident.

On July 10 in 2006, at least 32 people travelling on a bus was killed as a train hit it at a level crossing in  Akkelpur upazila of Joypurhat.