Shawdesh Desk:

At least 16 people were killed and more than 100 others injured as two intercity trains collided in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria on early Tuesday.

The incident took place at around 3:00 am when Chattogram-bound Udayan Express from Sylhet and Dhaka-bound Turna Nishita from Chattogram collided head-on at Mondobhag Railway Station, informed Md Delwar Hossain, loco shed in-charge of Akhaura Railway Junction.

Ten of the 16 people who were killed are: Mujibur Rahman, 55, and his wife Kulsum Begum, 30, of Hajiganj upazila; Farjana, 15, of Sadar upazila in Chandpur; Sohamoni, 3, of Brahmanbaria Sadar; and Jaheda Khatun, 30, of Akhaura in Moulvibazar; Yasin Arafat, 12, of Sadar upazila; Sujan Ahmed, 24, of Chunarughat upazila; Md Al Amin, 30, of Baniachang upazila, Ali Mohammad Yusuf, 32, of Sadar municipality; Adiba, 2, of Baniachang upazila in Habiganj district.

Among the deceased, the bodies of Mujibur and his wife, Yasin Arafat, Sujan and Jaheda were handed over to their families.

The injured persons were taken to Cumilla Medical College and Hospital, Cumilla District Hospital, Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital and upazila health complexes of Akhaura and Kasba for treatment.

Soon after the accident, the train communications between Dhaka-Chattogram, Dhaka-Noakhali and Chattogram-Sylhet have been suspended.

Akhaura Railway Police Station officer-in-charge Shayamal Kanti Das said eight bodies were recovered so far from the spot.

The OC said “Rescue operation is going on. The death toll may increase as many people are still trapped under the damaged coaches.”

Sources said two relief trains from Akhaura and Laksam railway junctions rushed to the spot and conducting rescue operations.

Turna Nishita Express hit bogie no. Jha of Udayan Express when the latter was changing its track at Akhaura Railway Junction, according to Loco Shed In-Charge Md Delwar Hossain.

Two compartments were badly damaged, he said.