Victims laid to rest

Gateman sued over Mirsarai train-microbus accident

Gateman sued over Mirsarai train-microbus accident

A case was filed against gateman Saddam Hossain with the Chattogram railway police on Saturday morning in connection with the Mirsarai train accident that left 11 people dead.

Sub-inspector Zahirul Islam filed the complaint for negligence that caused the accident and deaths, superintendent of Chattogram railway police, Hasan Chowdhury, said.

‘Stern action will be taken against Saddam if he is found guilty in the probe committee report,’ he said.

Earlier Bangladesh Railway suspended him for ‘dereliction of duty’ in connection with the train accident.

Eleven people were killed and six others injured when a speeding express train rammed into the microbus carrying the tourists at a level crossing in Mirsharai upazila on Friday.

Earlier in the morning, the victims who died in the train accident while returning to their houses after visiting Khoiyachora Waterfall in the hills of Mirsarai upazila on Friday, were laid to rest.

All of them were laid to rest in their respective areas in Hathazari upazila, said Shahidul Alam, upazila nirbahi officer.

Around 10:30am, a namaz-e-janaza of five of the deceased was held on Amanbazar Sumdia Government Primary school grounds in Hathazari upazila.

Besides, the namaz-e-janaza of four other victims was also held in their respective villages on Saturday while the namaz-e-janaza of two others were held on Friday night.

The mortal remains of all the 11 people — nine students, one teacher and the microbus driver — were handed over to their families on Friday.

The tragedy occurred when a speeding express train rammed into the microbus carrying the tourists at a level crossing in Mirsharai upazila on Friday.

The accident took place while they were returning to their respective houses after visiting the popular waterfall in the hills of Mirsarai.

While 11 of them died at the scene, six others were injured, police and fire service officials said.

The victims were identified as Golam Mostafa Niru, 26, the microbus driver, Mohammad Hasan, 17, son of Ilias Bhutto of Chikondandi union, Ziaul Haque Sajib, 22, son of Abdul Hamid of Khondokar Para, Wahidul Alam Jisan, 23, son of Jane Alam of Aziz Membar Bari, Ridwan Chowdhury, 22, a teacher of the 'R and J' coaching centre and son of Badsha Chowdhury of Majid Abbas Chowdhury Bari, Sagar, 17, son of Pavez of the area, Iqbal Hossain Maruf, 17, son of Abdul Mabud of Wadud Master Bari, Moshahab Ahmed Hisham, 16, son of Mozaffar Ahmed of ward number 6 of the upazila, Tasmir Hasan, 17, son of Parvez of Abdul Aziz Bari, Md Mahim, 17, son of Mansur Alam, and Mostafa Masud Rakib, 19, son of Motahar Hossain of Abu Musa Khan Bari.

The six injured are microbus helper Taukid Ibn Shawon, 20, and students — Md Mahim, 18, Tanveer Hasan Hriday, 18, Md Emon, 19, Tasmir Pavel, 16, and Md Saikat, 18. They are undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College and Hospital.

‘The microbus got on the rail track breaking through a bamboo barrier at the level crossing before it was hit by the train,’ said Ansar Ali, transportation officer of Bangladesh Railways (east).

The divisional railways authorities on Friday formed a five-member committee to investigate the accident.

Bangladesh Railways (east) divisional transport officer Ansar Ali had been made the head of the probe committee. ‘We will have to submit the report at the earliest,’ he said.

The railway police had already detained gateman Md Saddam Hussain, who was in charge of Khoiyachora level crossing at the time of the accident, said Kabir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Mirsharai police station.