Nine coaches of ‘Nilsagar Express’ derail in Santahar, at least 66 injured

Nine coaches of the “Nilsagar Express”, carrying Eid passengers from Dhaka to Chilahati, derailed in Santahar of Bogura on Wednesday, halting rail services to the northern districts.

Dhaka Railway Station Manager Sajedul Islam said nine carriages of the train derailed at Tilakpur in Santahar around 2:30pm.

The Ministry of Railways said at least 66 people were injured in the incident and taken to Naogaon General Hospital and Adamdighi Upazila Health Complex.

Of them, 20 were undergoing treatment at Naogaon General Hospital.

Meanwhile, the authorities have formed a four-member committee to investigate the derailment.

Locals said line repairs had been ongoing in Bagbari for 15-20 days. While the train’s engine passed safely, nine of its 14 carriages derailed.

Panicked passengers on the train’s rooftop jumped down, sustaining injuries, while fire service teams and locals rescued them.

Locals claimed the driver ignored signals and was speeding.

Santahar Railway Station Master Khadija Khatun reported that the track had defects, halting train services on the route.

Most nine-wheel carriages were damaged. Recovery would take more than a day and the train driver is currently absconding, she added.

The derailment has temporarily suspended rail services between Dhaka and northern Bangladesh, causing significant inconvenience for passengers.

Two salvage trains from Ishwardi in Pabna and Parbatipur in Dinajpur have already left for the spot.