Derailment in Natore cuts rail links for 9hrs, 10 hurt

At least 10 people were injured as inter-city train Rangpur Express derailed after hitting a stone-laden truck in Natore in the wee hours today.

The accident at Hugol Baria level crossing in Sadar upazila left rail communication of northern and southern regions with Dhaka cut off for around nine hours, reports our Natore correspondent.

After four hours of salvage work by a relief train, train services resumed around 10:00am, said Afjal Hossain, divisional railway manager (DRM) of Pakshey of Pabna.

The injured were admitted to Natore Sadar Hospital, said Ashok Kumar Chakrabarty, station master of Natore Railway Station.

The accident took place around 1:00am as the gateman of the level crossing reportedly fell asleep, the station master added.

A four-member probe body, led by Divisional Transportation Officer Shawkat Jamil, has been formed to investigate the accident, DRM Afjal informed.

Meanwhile, locals alleged that similar accidents have taken place earlier at the same spot due to negligence of the gatemen of the level crossing. But no action has so far been taken, they added.