Body formed to probe Jamuna derailment

The Railway Ministry has formed a 4-member inquiry committee on Monday, headed by ADGI Amjad Hossain, to ascertain the reason behind the Sunday night’s train accident on Jamuna Bridge, the country’s longest bridge. Locals said the commuter train, ‘Drutojan Express’ heading towards Dinajpur from Dhaka faced a stormy weather when it reached near Pillar No. 7 of the bridge over Jamuna River on Sunday night and then nine of its coaches derailed. However, no casualty is reported. A violent storm was sweeping the area when the derailment occurred. Railway Minister Mujibul Haque gave order to form the probe body after visiting Jamuna Bridge early Monday. The committee was asked to submit its report within next three days. Other members of the committee are ADG Shah Jahir Islam, GM (Railway West) Md Awal and ADRS Khalilur Rahman. Following the incident around 11:15pm, train communications were disrupted between Dhaka and northern districts. A salvage train reached the spot from Dhaka at about 5:00 am and started rescue operation. Earlier, the Railway Minister reached the Bangabandhu Bridge from Dhaka at about 3:10am and ordered to form the probe body. Railway Ministry Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, Director General of Bangladesh Railway Tofazzal Hosain and senior officers concerned accompanied the minister, according to UNB.