Train driver's negligence likely behind fatal crash

Negligence by one of the drivers of the two trains may have led to fatal accident in Brahmanbaria, says Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan.
The Chattogram-bound Udayan Express from Sylhet and the Dhaka-bound Turna Nishita from Chattogram collided near the Mondobagh Railway Station at the district's Kasba Upazila early on Tuesday (Nov 12).
The crash left at least 16 people dead and more than 50 others injured. Authorities fear the toll may rise.
Speaking to the media at the scene, Minister Sujon said initial investigations suggest that the negligence of Turna Nishita's driver led to the accident.
"We suspect that the driver of Turna Nishita disregarded the signal. Details will be known when the full probe report is available," he said.
Earlier in the day, Zakir Hossain Chowdhury, station master of Mondabagh Railway Station, said that the loco master of Turna Nishita disregarded the red light at the outer and home signals.
"We believe that the accident occurred due to the negligence of Turna Nishita’s driver,” said Additional Director General of Bangladesh Railways Mia Jahan told bdnews24.com.
The two trains were crossing in Mondobagh, said Mia Jahan. Udayan Express was entering the loop line from the main line after receiving the signal.
"After nine bogeys of the train crossed over into the loop line, Turna Nishita hit the 10th bogey. We have initially learnt that the incident took place because of the loco master’s disregard for the signal.”
After the collision, several bogeys of Turna found their way to the top of some Udayan’s bogeys. Two other bogeys were severely twisted.