Twelve Dead Identified in Comilla Bus-Train Crash

Authorities have confirmed the identities of twelve victims, including two young sisters, killed when a passenger bus was struck by a train at the Paduar Bazar railway crossing in Comilla. The names of the deceased were recorded in the registrar’s book at Comilla Medical College Hospital on Sunday, 22 March.

Victims Identified

Crash Details

The accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday at approximately 3:00 a.m. when a Mail train travelling from Chittagong to Dhaka collided with a passenger bus operated by Mamun Transport at the Paduar Bazar railway crossing. The impact reportedly carried the bus at least half a kilometre along the tracks.

Rescue teams initially recovered seven bodies from the site. However, as operations continued, the death toll rose to twelve. The collision temporarily suspended rail services nationwide, particularly affecting routes to and from Chittagong. Rail operations were restored approximately five hours later.

Response and Investigation

The Bangladesh Railway authorities have formed two separate investigative committees to examine the cause of the crash and any lapses in safety protocols. A relief train has been dispatched from Akhaura to assist in clearing and recovering the derailed train. Mostafizur Rahman, manager of the Chittagong Railway Division, confirmed these arrangements and ongoing rescue efforts.

The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for improved safety measures at railway crossings across the country, with authorities urging commuters and transport operators to exercise extreme caution.

This incident marks one of the deadliest bus-train collisions in recent Bangladeshi history, highlighting the persistent risks at level crossings and the urgent need for infrastructural and operational reforms.