United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka-bound Chattala Express remained stranded at Feni railway station for around five hours on Tuesday after developing an engine fault, leaving nearly 700 passengers in distress. The problem occurred around 7:50 am when the train entered Feni station from Chattogram, according to railway officials and police sources. The train resumed its journey towards Dhaka  around 2:00 pm after a relief train came and resolved the issue, said Feni railway station master Mohammad Harun. Smoke was suddenly seen coming out from the engine’s ‘tablet cover’ around 7:50 am and when Assistant Locomaster Mohammad Kawser was attempting to fix the problem he fell sick  due to smoke inhalation. He was immediately rescued by colleagues and taken to Feni General Hospital for treatment. Many were seen getting off the train and seeking alternative modes of transport. Their suffering was further aggravated by a Nor’wester storm accompanied by heavy rainfall. Feni Railway Station Master Mohammad Harun said many passengers who were supposed to board the train from Feni opted to refund their tickets and left for their destinations using alternative transport. However, despite the train being stranded on the platform, movement of other trains remained normal as two adjacent lines were operational.  

A fire broke out in a moving train in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram on Thursday morning, damaging several coaches. The incident occurred around 7:30am near the BMA Gate area in Bhatiari, close to Bhatiari Railway Station, said witnesses. At least three coaches were completely gutted, while another was partially damaged, said Kumira Fire Service Sub-Station Officer Ahsan Ali. He said the blaze has been fully extinguished and no casualties were reported. Firefighters from Kumira Fire Service Station rushed to the spot with two units and brought the blaze under control. Witnesses said the fire broke out in a coach of Dhaka-bound train Chattrala Express which had left Chattogram earlier in the morning. Panic spread among passengers but many managed to get off quickly as the train was moving slowly at the time. Officials said the fire originated in the train’s power car and later spread to an adjacent air-conditioned coach. Train services between Chattogram and Dhaka, as well as Sylhet, were temporarily disrupted following the incident. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Railway has formed a probe committee to investigate the cause of the fire.