Eight train fire victims in critical condition

FE Report | Published: January 06, 2024 23:04:00

The condition of eight people injured in Friday night's train fire in the city's Gopibagh area was stated to be critical.
Giving names of two patients, Asif Mohammad Khan and Nafiz Alam, chief coordinator of Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute Dr Samanta Lal Sen said 5.0-8.0 per cent of their bodies were burnt.
But many of the burn injuries were severe as their breathing cords got damaged, while some became mentally traumatised.
Police Super Anwar Hossain told the media that at the home ministry's instruction, Ansar members were deployed 15 days before.
Besides, the strength of the railway police increased along with the deployment of law-enforcement agencies at risky points on the 700-kilometre track.
"A preliminary investigation found some explosive material inside the train which was noticed when the passengers were busy readying their luggage just before reaching the Kamalapur station."
Mr Anwar claimed they took security measures ahead of the election and after Mohonganj Express caught fire on December 19.
Ten members of the security force are on duty for each train with 14 coaches.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police has already set up CCTVs at Tongi station and in Dhirasram area.
When asked how such an incident occurred amid all these security measures, the SP said a man masquerading as a passenger set the train on fire.
Train passengers left the station with fear of facing an explosive situation on Saturday after a tragic train fire on Benapole Express near Gopibagh crossing burning alive four passengers.
Friday night's incident was among a number of such mayhems since October 28 amid a flurry of election campaign across the country.
Earlier on December 19, four passengers were also burnt to death after another fire incident at Mohonganj Express near Tejgaon station.
Following the Benapole Express fire, the Bangladesh Railway (BR) suspended 12 local and mail train services in western zone and 20 others in eastern zone for two days from Saturday.
Sources said of the intercity train services in operation with a thin number of passengers. However, Benapole Express service remains stopped for next two to three days.
The FE found the trains bound for Rajshahi, Kushtia and Narsingdi at Kamalapur received few passengers.
"It's very upsetting to see train fire incidents. But we have to go home," said one Sarwar who was supposed to go back home on Friday night after his treatment in the capital.
Station manager Mohammad Masud Sarwar told the FE that two out of 10 coaches of Benapole Express were burnt totally and an expensive power car also got damaged.
The station manager along with all other teams rushed to the spot after a passenger screamed following the outbreak of the fire while talking to his relative over phone.
Regarding suspension of services and security of passengers, Director General Mohammad Quamrul Ahsan told reporters at the station that as these train services in both BR's eastern and western zones were unlikely to get usual passengers, a decision was taken to keep those services suspended on Saturday and today (Sunday).
When asked about finding any clue to the fire, he said the BR formed a seven-member committee to investigate the incident.
However, inquiry committees under the police and RAB were also working, he added.
"At first-hand observation, it seems like an atrocity but it cannot be confirmed until investigations end," the DG told the media.
Regarding identifying the bodies, Mr Ahsan said the bodies were burnt so badly that they could not be handed over to the relatives before the DNA test.
The BR has filed a case with the local police station in this connection.
Due to the train fire, according to BR officials, two imported Chinese coaches were totally damaged and the power car was damaged partially.
These coaches were procured under the Padma Rail Link project during the January-April period.
When asked about foolproof security at rail tracks, the DG further said that they started installing CCTVs for trains after the Mohonganj Express incident.
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