A tragic railway accident claimed the lives of three women in Kaliganj upazila of Gazipur on Thursday afternoon, sending shockwaves through the local community and leaving two families devastated. The fatal incident occurred on 25 December, near the Tekpara area on the eastern side of Arikhola Railway Station, when a passenger train struck the victims as they were walking along the railway tracks.
The deceased have been identified as Kamala Begum (55), a resident of Marjal area in Shibpur upazila of Narsingdi, her granddaughter Anadi Akter (13), and Sadia Begum (24), a neighbour of Anadi Akter and the wife of Mobarak Hossain from the Dewalertek area of Kaliganj municipality.
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How the Incident Occurred :
According to police and local sources, the Upakul Express, travelling from Dhaka to Noakhali, was passing through Arikhola Railway Station at approximately 5:00 pm. At that moment, Kamala Begum, her granddaughter Anadi, and Sadia Begum were reportedly walking together along the railway line. It is believed that due to a moment of inattention and misjudgement of the train’s speed, they were unable to move away from the tracks in time.
The high-speed train struck them, resulting in the immediate death of Kamala Begum and Sadia Begum at the scene. Anadi Akter sustained critical injuries and was swiftly rescued by local residents, who rushed her to the Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex. Despite emergency efforts, the on-duty physician declared the teenager dead upon arrival.
Police Action and Legal Process :
Sub-Inspector Dilip Chandra Sarkar of the Narsingdi Railway Police Outpost confirmed that police officers promptly arrived at the scene after receiving information about the accident. The bodies were recovered, and all necessary inquest procedures were completed in accordance with legal requirements.
Following formal requests from the victims’ families, and with approval from senior authorities, the bodies were handed over to the relatives without post-mortem examinations. Police officials stated that the incident appeared to be accidental and that no criminal activity was suspected at this stage.
Local Reaction and Safety Concerns :
The incident has cast a pall of grief over the area, with residents expressing deep sorrow—particularly over the death of the young girl. Locals have once again raised concerns about the lack of adequate safety measures around railway tracks, noting that residents frequently use the tracks as walkways due to the absence of alternative routes.
Community members urged the authorities to increase public awareness, install warning signs, and strengthen railway safety infrastructure to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Incident Summary at a Glance :
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Tekpara area, east of Arikhola Railway Station, Kaliganj |
| Date & Time | 25 December, around 5:00 pm |
| Train Involved | Upakul Express (Dhaka–Noakhali route) |
| Number of Victims | 3 |
| Deceased | Kamala Begum (55), Anadi Akter (13), Sadia Begum (24) |
| Police Action | Inquest completed; bodies released to families |
| Cause | Accidental, due to inattention on railway tracks |
This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with walking along railway lines and highlights the urgent need for improved safety awareness and preventive measures to protect vulnerable communities living near rail corridors.