The morgue at Comilla Medical College Hospital presented a scene of profound grief on Sunday afternoon. Normally a quiet place, it was crowded with relatives anxiously waiting to claim the bodies of twelve victims who perished in a catastrophic collision between a bus and a train at a level crossing in Comilla Sadar South Upazila.
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The Accident
The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Saturday, 22 March, at approximately 2:55 a.m., at the Padua Bazar railway crossing. A Mamun Special bus, travelling from Chuadanga to Lakshmipur, collided head-on with a Dhaka-bound mail train from Chittagong.
The accident claimed the lives of seven men, two women, and three children, while at least ten others were seriously injured. Preliminary reports from the railway authority attribute the disaster to negligence by the crossing gatekeepers, who have been temporarily suspended. Three separate investigation committees have been formed to ascertain the full circumstances of the collision.
Heart-Wrenching Personal Loss
Among the victims were Laizu Akter (26) and her daughters, Khadija Akter (6) and Mariam Akter (3). The family had boarded the bus to travel to Lakshmipur. Laizu’s husband, Pintu Islam, survived because he disembarked in Dhaka earlier that night to receive a visiting relative. Tragically, the bus’s central section, where Laizu and her children were seated, was obliterated on impact.
Speaking through grief, Pintu said:
“I came down in Dhaka to receive a relative from abroad. By dawn, I learned of the accident. Seeing my wife and children lifeless, I do not know why I was spared. How my little girls suffered before dying, only Allah knows.”
Another victim, Juhad Biswas (24), from Jhenaidah, was travelling to his in-laws’ home in Noakhali. His wife, Rumi Akter, arrived at the morgue with their 18-month-old daughter, mourning her husband’s untimely death.
List of Victims
| Name | Age | Relation / Residence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laizu Akter | 26 | Wife of Pintu Islam, Lakshmipur | Died with two daughters |
| Khadija Akter | 6 | Daughter | Child victim |
| Mariam Akter | 3 | Daughter | Child victim |
| Juhad Biswas | 24 | Husband, Jhenaidah | En route to Noakhali in-laws |
| Sirajul Islam | 70 | Moktarpur, Chuadanga | Elderly victim |
| Kohinur Begum | 55 | Wife of Sirajul Islam | Elderly victim |
| Tajul Islam | 67 | Son of Mominul Haque, Chaptali, Chandpur | Adult male victim |
| Babul Chowdhury | 55 | Son of Sohel, Sonaimuri, Noakhali | Adult male victim |
| Fochiar Rahman | 26 | Son of Wahab Sheikh, Mohammadpur, Magura | Young male victim |
| Sohel Rana | 25 | Son of Billal Hossain, Jibannagar, Chuadanga | Young male victim |
| Nazrul Islam (Rayhan) | 45 | Son of Md. Selim, Fazilpur, Begumganj | Adult male victim |
Eyewitness Accounts
Relatives described the scene at the hospital as heart-wrenching. Shahida Islam, aunt of nine-year-old Saida, recounted how her niece and family had been returning home after Eid prayers when the disaster struck. Many injured passengers were rushed to Comilla Medical College Hospital before being transferred to Dhaka for further treatment.
Railway Authority Response
Laksam Railway Police confirmed that the bodies were handed over to relatives following legal procedures. The railway authority has faced widespread criticism over gatekeeper negligence, prompting urgent calls for accountability and reform.
Wider Implications
This tragic accident underscores the systemic vulnerabilities at railway crossings in Bangladesh. Safety experts emphasise the urgent need for:
- Automated barrier systems to prevent human error
- Stricter enforcement and supervision of gatekeepers
- Public awareness campaigns on railway safety
Without immediate improvements, similar tragedies may recur, highlighting a persistent gap in transportation safety.