The death toll has risen to 7 when an auto-rickshaw was hit by a train at an unprotected railway crossing at Comilla's Burichong. The incident took place at Kalikapur area of Burichong Upazila on Dhaka-Chittagong railway road around 10:30 am on Tuesday.
District upazila administration officials visited the spot after receiving the information. In this incident, the district administration and the Railway East have formed a separate investigation committee.
Police and locals said that the Chattla Express train leaving from Chittagong was crossing the Kalikapur area of Burichong Upazila around 10:30 am when an autorickshaw carrying passengers overturned at the unguarded crossing. At that time, the autorickshaw was overturned by the impact of the moving train. 4 passengers of the autorickshaw died on the spot and 3 more passengers died on the way to the hospital.
The deceased are Rafiz Mia (47) of Khodaitli village of Burichong upazila, Hosneya (46) Ali Ahmed (56), wife of Fazlu Mia of the same village, Lutfa Begum (55), Saju Mia (52), Safarjan Begum (55), Sanu Begum of Bakshimul village. (38). Meanwhile, a shadow of grief has descended on the area due to such a tragic incident.
Azizul Haque, OC of Burichong police station, said that the autorickshaw was twisted by the train. The bodies of the victims were dismembered. In this incident, 4 people died on the spot and 3 people died on the way to the hospital.
Laksam Railway Police Station OC Emran Hossain said that the level crossing where the accident took place was illegal. Not realizing the arrival of the train, the autorickshaw driver suddenly climbed onto the railway line. The autorickshaw got twisted due to the impact of the train. The body was taken away by relatives. An investigation committee has been formed by the Eastern Railway in this incident. Legal action will be taken on the matter.
Burichong Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sahida Begum said, I visited the scene after receiving the news. The accident will be investigated by the district administration.
