A tragic collision occurred in Comilla late on Saturday night when a passenger bus was struck by a train at the Paduar Bazar level crossing, resulting in the deaths of at least twelve people and leaving ten others injured.
The incident took place at 2:55 am on the Dhaka–Chittagong highway within Comilla Sadar South Upazila. The Comilla Highway Police confirmed the details on Sunday morning, with Officer-in-Charge Abdul Momin informing that emergency services rushed to the scene immediately.
According to police reports, the Dhaka Mail train was travelling from Chittagong to Dhaka when the bus, operated by Mamun Special Transport and en route from Chuadanga to Laxmipur, attempted to cross the railway. The collision caused the bus to be completely mangled and dragged approximately half a kilometre along the tracks by the moving train.
Officer Momin further stated that among the deceased, seven were adult males, three were women, and two were children. The injured, many in critical condition, were swiftly transported to Comilla Medical College Hospital for treatment.
Preliminary investigations suggest that inadequate safety measures at the level crossing may have contributed to the tragedy. Witnesses noted the absence of a crossing guard and reported that signal barriers were either malfunctioning or not present at the time. Authorities have emphasised the urgent need to improve safety protocols at busy crossings along the Dhaka–Chittagong route.
The following table summarises the known details of the accident:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Time of Accident | 2:55 am, Saturday night |
| Location | Paduar Bazar Level Crossing, Comilla |
| Bus Operator | Mamun Special Transport |
| Bus Route | Chuadanga → Laxmipur |
| Train | Dhaka Mail |
| Train Route | Chittagong → Dhaka |
| Fatalities | 12 (7 adult males, 3 women, 2 children) |
| Injured | 10, admitted to Comilla Medical College Hospital |
| Distance Dragged | Approx. 0.5 km by train |
Local residents described the crossing as “highly dangerous” and urged authorities to implement robust safety measures to prevent similar disasters. The collision caused significant disruption to both road and rail traffic along the highway, with recovery operations lasting several hours.
Investigations are ongoing, with police coordinating with railway authorities to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the crash. Officials have pledged to enhance safety at the crossing and ensure timely communication with the public regarding precautionary measures.
This incident underscores the persistent risks at poorly regulated level crossings and highlights the critical importance of both driver vigilance and infrastructural safety improvements along major transport routes.