Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday directed the local administration to take necessary steps to minimise damage and reduce the suffering of passengers after a train carrying Eid holidaymakers derailed in Santahar of Bogura.
“The Prime Minister spoke to the Bogura Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police in the evening to learn about the situation on the ground,” said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.
He said Tarique instructed the authorities to quickly carry out rescue operations and take steps to ensure that passengers can reach their destinations promptly and without difficulty.
Rumon said the Prime Minister, immediately after receiving news of the accident, contacted the local administration to get updates.
He also directed that injured passengers be given prompt and proper medical treatment.
Rumon said the Prime Minister also asked the authorities to ensure the quick removal of the derailed train to restore rail communication, and arranging alternative transport to allow stranded passengers to continue their journeys.
Scores of passengers were injured as nine coaches of the Nilasagar Express derailed near Santahar Railway Station in Adamdighi upazila of Bogura district on Wednesday afternoon.
The Prime Minister is closely monitoring the situation, particularly given his deep-rooted ties to Bogura, which is his home district on his father's side. Bogura-6 was one of the two constituencies the BNP chairman ran for, and won, in the recent parliamentary election, although later he decided to retain the Dhaka -17 constituency in parliament.