Kalurghat Bridge crash: Train 'ignored' signal as death toll rises to 2

The death toll has risen to two after a Dhaka-bound train ploughed through multiple vehicles on Chattogram's Kalurghat Bridge.

In the wake of Thursday night's fatal collision, a station master has said the Parjatak Express train from Cox's Bazar had entered the bridge without heeding a “dead stop” signal.

After crossing the Gomdondi Station in Boalkhali, the train reached the Kalurghat Bridge, which leads to the city’s Jane Ali Hat Station.

Jane Ali Hat Station Master Nezam Uddin said Kalurghat is a “dead stop bridge”, where every train must come to a complete halt before crossing. The locomotive master is required to sign the “dead stop book” and the train must not exceed a speed of 10kph while crossing.

“On Thursday night, the Parjatak Express entered the bridge at high speed without stopping at the dead stop signal after passing Gomdondi Station. An autorickshaw had broken down on the bridge, leaving several vehicles stuck on the west side. That’s when the accident occurred,” Nezam said.

He claimed the bridge’s gateman had shown a red signal from a distance, but the locomotive master ignored it. “The loco master also failed to sign the dead stop logbook, which is mandatory.”

The Dhaka-bound intercity Parjatak Express, departing Cox’s Bazar after 10pm on Thursday, hit several autorickshaws and motorcycles that were stranded on the Boalkhali side of the bridge.

At least 22 people were injured in the incident. Two of them died later at the hospital. The accident also disrupted train services on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar route.

Dr Zafrin Zahed Jiti, health and family planning officer of Boalkhali Upazila, said: “We’ve confirmed two deaths from the accident, including a child.”

“Though there were initial reports of three deaths, we have verified that two people died. They are an autorickshaw driver named Tushar and a 2-year-old girl named Ayesha.”

Dr Jiti said Tushar was declared dead at Chattogram Medical College Hospital and Ayesha at the private Parkview Hospital.

Among the injured, one is receiving treatment at Boalkhali Upazila Health Complex, 10 at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, five at Parkview Hospital, and four at Boalkhali’s private General Hospital.

Locals said Tushar lived in Banglapara under Ward No. 2 of Boalkhali Municipality.

Sub-Inspector Nure Alam Ashek of the Chattogram Medical College Hospital police outpost said six people are still under treatment there, and one death was recorded.

The Chattogram Division Fire Service Control Room said firefighters recovered one body and rescued three injured individuals from the scene.

Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Abdul Mannan said firefighters removed three autorickshaws, three motorcycles, and an ice cream van from under the train.