Bdnews24.com

Train communication between Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet resumed Wednesday, 11 hours after an express train ramming into another express train standing at Ashuganj railway station in Brahmanbaria, killing at least eight people.

The Turna Nishitha Express bound for Dhaka coming from Chittagong that was stranded at Ashuganj station started for Dhaka at around 11:30 am, shortly after the rescue operation was completed.

Communications secretary Md Mahbubur Rahman visited the scene Wednesday morning.

He said: "The accident occurred due to the negligence of the driver of Upaban Express and the station master."

The secretary said a four-member committee headed by Bangladesh Railway chief engineer Nur Mohammad has been formed to probe the matter. "The committee will submit a report Wednesday night," he said.

The station master of Ashuganj railway station, Upaban train driver, assistant train driver and Upaban security guard have been suspended temporarily, Rahman said.

Brahmanbaria superintendent of police Ataul Kibria told reporters that the station master, assistant station master and all staffers of Ashuganj railway station fled the scene immediately after the accident.

Upaban Express bound for Sylhet arriving from Dhaka hit the standing Noakhali Express from behind at 12:30am.

"Three compartments of Noakhali Express derailed. The engine and some compartments of Upaban Express also were damaged," Ashuganj police sub-inspector Md Kamruzzaman told bdnews24.com.

About 30 injured passengers were rescued by the local police and fire service personnel and admitted to different hospitals of Bhairab, Brahmanbaria and Ashuganj, he said.

Brahmanbaria deputy commissioner Md Abdul Hye rushed to the scene after the incident and oversaw the rescue operation.

Two relief trains arrived from Dhaka and Akhaura at around 2:15 am and started the rescue work.