Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
Three of the victims died at the scene, while two others were taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, where they were declared dead.
The deceased were identified as Mamun Chowdhury alias Liton, 50, and his wife Fahmida Sharmin Mun, 40, both residents of Bhuiyanpara, Narayanganj.
The other victims were Sajia Saju, 45, wife of Mohammad Hasib Zahir from Bhuiyanpara, Mohammad Sayeed Bhuiya’s wife Atifa Rahman Bhuiyan, 36, and Ummey Tansuma Rintu, 30, wife of Mohammad Almagir Hossain from Dori Molla Kanda, Narayanganj.
Mamun Chowdhury’s brother-in-law, Mohammad Salahuddin, said: “All the victims were close relatives and that they were returning from a visit to the Gerda area when the microbus collided with the train.”
At the scene, it was observed that there were several shops and trees near the railway crossing. The road from Gerda to Munshibazar is straight, but the shops obstructed the view, making it difficult to hear the train’s whistle.
Eyewitness Abu Naim, 39, from Kafura area said: "The microbus was heading towards Munshibazar. As soon as it reached the railway line, it collided with the train, which pushed the vehicle about 100 yards forward. After hitting a pillar beside the track, the vehicle fell into the ditch below."
Local resident Mohammad Sarwar, 59, said that accidents frequently occur at this crossing, which is a vital road for reaching Charbhadrasan and Sadarpur bus stations. He believed that if there were a gate and gatekeeper, this accident might have been prevented.
The train involved, the Madhumati Express, was travelling from Rajshahi to Dhaka. The microbus had been heading from Gerda to Munshibazar when the accident occurred at around 12:15 pm.
The Faridpur Fire Service’s senior station officer, Nazrul Islam, confirmed that they received a call at 12:28pm and rushed to the scene. They recovered three bodies from the wreckage. The microbus, after colliding with the train, fell into the ditch but no additional bodies were found under the vehicle.
Atiyar Rahman, the ward master at Faridpur Medical College Hospital, said: “Two women were brought dead to the hospital, including the driver. Other injured individuals are admitted.”
The District Commissioner, Mohammad Kamrul Hasan Mollah, and Superintendent of Police, Mohammad Abdul Jalil, visited the scene.
The District Commissioner assured that the district administration would cover the costs of transporting and burying the victims.
The station master of Faridpur Railway, Taqdir Hossain, confirmed that the Madhumati Express left Faridpur Station for Dhaka at 12:05pm.
Station Master Taqdir Hossain said: "The Munshibazar railway crossing is not approved by the railway department, but it is an important crossing. I will request higher railway officials to provide a gate and gatekeeper here. If the railway department approves this crossing, such accidents can be prevented."
Ashik Mohammad Siddiqur Islam, the officer in charge of Rajbari Railway Police Station, confirmed that, at the request of the victims' families, the bodies were handed over without autopsy.
“A case of accidental death has been filed at Rajbari Railway Police Station,” he said.
