Twelve Dead in Comilla Bus-Train Collision

Authorities in Bangladesh have identified twelve victims, including two young sisters, who were killed when a passenger bus was struck by a train at the Paduar Bazar railway crossing in Comilla. Their names were officially 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. Reports indicate that the force of the impact carried the bus at least half a kilometre along the tracks, causing catastrophic damage.

Rescue teams initially recovered seven bodies from the scene. As search and recovery operations continued, the death toll rose to twelve. The collision also temporarily disrupted rail services across the country, particularly affecting connections to and from Chittagong. Rail traffic resumed approximately five hours after the crash.

Response and Investigation

In response to the tragedy, the Bangladesh Railway authorities have established two separate investigative committees to determine the cause of the accident and to identify any potential lapses in safety protocols at the crossing. A relief train has been dispatched from Akhaura to assist in clearing the derailed train and restoring normal rail operations. Mostafizur Rahman, manager of the Chittagong Railway Division, confirmed these arrangements and ongoing rescue efforts.

Authorities and safety experts have renewed calls for enhanced safety measures at railway crossings nationwide. There is particular emphasis on installing automated barriers, warning signals, and improved surveillance to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Transport operators and commuters have been urged to exercise heightened caution, especially during night-time travel.

Wider Implications

This incident is among the deadliest bus-train collisions in recent Bangladeshi history. It has drawn attention to the persistent risks associated with level crossings, which remain inadequately regulated or monitored in many areas. Beyond immediate loss of life, the crash has raised broader concerns over transport safety standards and the need for systemic reforms in road and rail infrastructure.

As investigations continue, the authorities face mounting pressure to implement stricter safety measures and ensure accountability. Families of the victims are awaiting updates from the railway authorities, while local communities have expressed shock and grief at the scale of the tragedy.

The Comilla bus-train collision underscores the urgent need for both infrastructural improvements and public awareness campaigns to prevent such catastrophic accidents in the future.