3 killed in Gopalganj as train hits motorbike at unmanned level crossing

Three youths died after a train hit the motorbike they were on while crossing an unmanned level crossing in Gopalganj’s Kashiani upazila this afternoon.

The deceased were identified as Yeasin Sharif (18), Sohan Talukder (23), and Abu Raihan (17), all residents of the upazila. 

Azizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kashiani Police Station, said the accident happened at Bishwanathpur area around 2:30pm when a Rajbari-bound train from Kashiani hit their motorcycle.

One of them died on the spot while the others were declared dead after they were rushed to the local health complex, he said.

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Rising Rail Fatalities: Unmanned level crossings to blame

The OC said the level crossing is unprotected and no guard performs duty there. There was no speed-beaker near the level crossing either.

Almost two-thirds of Bangladesh Railway level crossings have no designated gatemen, resulting in increased rail-related fatalities.

Experts say the railway authorities have a tendency to develop infrastructure, ignoring safety-related issues.

The authorities say they are appointing gatemen at unprotected crossings, but they can do little about the unauthorised crossings, mostly built by different government bodies without approvals.