Derailed Nilsagar Express ‘ignored red flags, signals’

The Nilsagar Express has gone off the track at Santahar in Bogura while repairs were under way, with red flags placed at the site, the station master said.

The accident occurred around 2pm on Wednesday, leaving more than 50 passengers injured and disrupting rail links between Dhaka and northern Bangladesh, stranding travellers at multiple stations.

Carrying Eid holiday passengers, the train was heading from Dhaka to Chilahati in Nilphamari. It had stopped at Santahar Railway Station shortly before the incident.

Santahar Railway Police Sub-Inspector Mahfuzur Rahman said, “The train derailed shortly after leaving the station. Nine coaches went off the track.”

Locals said maintenance was being carried out on the line at the time, with red flags raised and signals given to warn approaching trains. They alleged the train “ignored the signal”, triggering the derailment.

Station Master Khadija Khanam said, “Track repairs were in progress with red flags in place. The train entered the section, leading to the accident.”

Panic spread among passengers after the derailment, with many scrambling to disembark.

Pakshi Railway District Superintendent Mehedi Hasan said most of the injured were rooftop passengers. They were admitted to hospitals in Adamdighi and Naogaon Sadar.

He added that the single-line disruption has cut rail links between Dhaka and five northern districts -- Nilphamari, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Joypurhat. A rescue train has left Ishwardi Junction for the site.