Youth dies after being hit by special train, railway line blocked due to tension

A youth named Akhirul Islam (26) tragically died after being crushed under a special train in Panchagarh. Angry locals took a stand on the railway line and threw sleepers over the incident, temporarily halting train traffic. Later, the situation normalized after about three hours with the intervention of law enforcement and administration.

The accident occurred at around 8:10 pm on Wednesday (December 24) in Tenganmari area of ​​​​Dhakmara union of Panchagarh Sadar upazila. The deceased Akhirul Islam is the son of Abul Hossain of Magura Shipaipara area of ​​​​Sadar upazila. He is a driver by profession. It is known that he met with an accident on his way back from a relative's house after attending an invitation with his family.

According to locals, a special train left Panchagarh station for Dhaka at 8:10 pm. However, the locals had no prior information about the movement of that train. They also alleged that the risk of accidents increases as there are no gates or gatemen in the area and the train does not whistle.

Eyewitnesses said that when the train reached the Tenganmari area, the engine of the car suddenly stopped while crossing the railway line with a microbus from a nearby road. Quickly sensing the situation, Akhirul Islam safely got his family members out of the car. Then, with the help of some locals, he was able to move the car from the line, but he himself lost his balance and fell onto the railway line. At that moment, the train ran over him, killing him on the spot.

Immediately after the incident, agitated locals took a position on the railway line and stopped the train by throwing sleepers. When the situation became heated, the Ekta Express train left the station but returned to Panchagarh station due to obstacles from the locals.

Panchagarh Railway Station Master Zahidul Islam confirmed the incident and said that senior officials of the police, army and administration reached the spot to control the situation. Their intervention calmed the situation and train movement was restored around 11:20 pm.

The incident has cast a shadow of mourning over the area. At the same time, locals have demanded the provision of gates and gatemen at the railway crossing and strengthening of advance warning of train movement.