POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Aug 17, 2022 : The investigation committee has found gateman Saddam Hossain and microbus driver Golam Mostafar responsible for the collision between a train and a microbus at a level crossing in Baratkia area of Mirsarai, Chittagong. Gateman Saddam was not present at the time of the accident.
The report of the inquiry committee headed by Ansar Ali, divisional transport officer of the eastern region of the railways, held the two responsible for the accident.
The investigation committee submitted a five-page report to Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Muhammad Abul Kalam Chowdhury on Tuesday afternoon.
Ansar Ali confirmed the submission of the investigation report. He said that the report mentioned the cause of this accident.
Microbus driver Golam Mustafa was killed on the spot in the accident. And Gateman Saddam is currently in prison.
On July 29, around 1:30 p.m., the Mahanagar Prabhati train from Dhaka to Chittagong rammed a microbus carrying tourists and took it about a kilometer away. 11 people died on the spot. Seven people were injured. Two of these seven died while undergoing treatment. Other injured persons are currently undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital.
The injured persons are residents of East Khandkia village of Amanbazar in Hathazari Upazila of Chittagong. Apart from the microbus driver, among the 13 people killed, others were teachers and students of a local coaching center. On the morning of the incident, they took a microbus to take a trip to Mirsarai’s Khayachara waterfall. On the way back from there, they met with an accident.
According to eyewitnesses and train passengers, there were no signals or barriers at the level crossing as Gateman Saddam was not present. Saddam was later arrested by the police.
Railways made two committees to investigate this incident. An inquiry committee was headed by Mohammad Arman Hussain, Additional Chief Engineer, Eastern Railway. The head of the other committee is Ansar Ali, Divisional Transport Officer of Eastern Railway.
The committee led by Ansar Ali has submitted its report but the other committee is yet to submit its report.
Muhammad Abul Kalam Chowdhury confirmed the receipt of the investigation report. He told Prothom Alo that the investigation committee blamed the gateman and the driver for the accident. Gateman failed to prove that Saddam was present at the scene of the crash.
Muhammad Abul Kalam Chowdhury said that Gateman Saddam has already been temporarily dismissed in this incident, now further action will be taken against him.
Ansar Ali said that some recommendations have been given in the report to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. However, he did not agree to give details.
