A 32-year-old man lost his life on Sunday morning after taking a selfie on a railway line in Lalmai Upazila, Comilla, and posting it on Facebook moments before being struck by a train. The fatal incident occurred near the Bagmara Dudh Bazar bypass section along the busy Dhaka–Chattogram railway route.
The deceased, Mohi Uddin, was a resident of West Chenghata village in Shilmuri Union, Barura Upazila. By profession, he was an auto-rickshaw driver. Local sources said that Mohi Uddin had gone to Bagmara market with his auto-rickshaw earlier in the morning. At around 7:30 a.m., he positioned himself on the railway tracks to take a selfie and immediately uploaded the photograph to his Facebook account.
Eyewitnesses reported that, while Mohi Uddin was still on the tracks, a train bound for Dhaka approached the site. Despite attempts to move out of the way, he was unable to do so in time and was struck, dying instantly at the scene.
The Officer-in-Charge of Laksam Railway Police Station, Jasim Uddin, confirmed the incident. “The Upakul Express, travelling from Noakhali to Dhaka, passed Laksam Railway Junction at around 7:30 a.m. It appears the victim was struck by this train. Our team reached the scene immediately upon receiving the report, but by then his relatives had already taken the body home,” he stated.
The tragic event has raised concerns about the growing trend of taking selfies on railway tracks, particularly in rural areas. Local residents and authorities have repeatedly warned that such behaviour is extremely hazardous and can have fatal consequences.
Below is a summary of the key details of the incident:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Mohi Uddin |
| Age | 32 years |
| Address | West Chenghata, Shilmuri Union, Barura Upazila, Comilla |
| Profession | Auto-rickshaw driver |
| Location of Accident | Bagmara Dudh Bazar bypass, Lalmai Upazila, Comilla |
| Date & Time | Sunday morning, approx. 7:30 a.m. |
| Train Involved | Upakul Express (Noakhali–Dhaka) |
| Outcome | Died at the scene |
Safety experts emphasise that social media-driven stunts near railway lines pose a severe threat to life. While platforms like Facebook encourage sharing personal moments, the allure of online attention should never override basic safety measures. Residents in Lalmai have called for greater awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement of railway safety regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the deadly risks associated with railway tracks and the urgent need for public vigilance. Authorities have urged the community to educate young people about the dangers of taking photos or videos in unsafe locations, particularly on active rail lines.