Three people, including a policeman, were killed and nine others injured when a speeding train hit a bus and two auto-rickshaws at a railway level crossing in the port city of Chattogram Saturday morning.

Witnesses said the train was approaching towards Chattogram rail station from Najirhat around 10:30 am and different vehicles were waiting on both sides of Jhautala level crossing when the train approaching.

The accident occurred as the bus tried to drive through the level-crossing hitting two auto-rickshaws from behind and dragged those onto the level crossing.

Sarwar Alam, officer-in-charge (OC) of the Chattogram Railway Police, said the train crashed into the bus and the two auto-rickshaws.

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"Two people were killed on the spot. And the 10 injured have been admitted to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital (CMCH)," the OC said.

The train was a diesel-electric multiple unit one, he added.

Another injured man died at the CMCH around 4:45 pm, said inspector (investigation) of Pachanlaish Police Station Sadiqur Rahman.

The deceased were identified as police constable (Traffic North) Monir Hossian of Noakhali district, Bahauddin Ahmed, an engineer of Dhali Constructions and Sazzad,19, a college student.

Meanwhile, a three-member panel, headed by Additional Superintendent of Chattogram Railway Mohammad Abdul Gafur, was formed to look into the incident, said Hasan Chowdhury, assistant superintendent of Chattogram Railway Police.

Shaheda, a witness, said the gateman of the level-crossing was found sitting in an adjacent shop when the accident occurred.

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Train accidents in Bangladesh

Train accidents are common in Bangladesh, many at unmanned level crossings and some due to the poor condition of tracks.

According to data provided by the Bangladesh Railway, in August 2019, only 466 gates of its 1,412 level crossings have gatemen.

In November 2019, a deadly collision occurred between Dhaka-bound Turna Nishita Express and Chattogram-bound Udayan Express on the Dhaka-Chattogram route near the Mandbagh railway station in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria.

The train crash had left at least 16 people dead and over 100 others injured.

At least 113 people, including 26 women and 11 children, were killed in railway accidents between January 1 and June 30 this year, according to a July report, jointly prepared by the Green Club of Bangladesh (GCB) and the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways.