Train Accident at Chittagong University Injures Multiple Students; Calls for Improved Safety Measures
At least 20 students were left injured after a shuttle train en route from the city to Chittagong University (CU) collided with a tree. The incident occurred in the evening when the train struck a leaning tree in Chowdhury Hat area, causing branches to hit several students on the train’s roof.
Following the accident, a group of agitated students gathered in front of the vice-chancellor’s residence at around 11 pm on Thursday to stage a protest. In an act of frustration, they vandalized property and even set fire to objects, demanding a new compartment for the shuttle train.
Chittagong Medical College Hospital reported that 16 injured students are currently receiving treatment. Eight individuals were admitted to the hospital’s casualty ward, while an additional eight were admitted to the neurosurgery ward. The injuries ranged from moderate to severe.
Once the shuttle train reached the CU campus, students disembarked and immediately blocked the main gate in protest. They expressed their anger towards the administration, setting fire to objects, and also demanded an increase in the number of coaches for the shuttle train. Meanwhile, a police box located at zero point was vandalized by the students.
Taking cognizance of the critical situation, CU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Shireen Akhter visited the injured students undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital around midnight. She personally inquired about their condition and engaged with hospital authorities to ensure that the injured students receive adequate and prompt treatment.
A first-year public administration student named Nuruzzaman claimed that due to the lack of space inside the shuttle train, several students resorted to traveling on the roof. This unfortunate incident occurred when a tree in the Chowdhury Hat area had tilted slightly a few days prior. Strikingly, three students on the train’s roof sustained injuries earlier that Thursday afternoon due to the shifting tree.
Assistant Proctor of Chittagong University, Dr Md Morshedul Alam, reported that approximately 15 to 20 people suffered injuries while traveling from Chittagong city to the CU campus on the roof of the shuttle train. It appears a tree brushed against the train’s roof, causing the injuries.
Currently, there are two shuttle trains operating between Chittagong city and Chittagong University campus, with a frequency of 14 trips daily. Each train has ten coaches; however, this still falls short of accommodating the student capacity. Consequently, many students are forced to travel on the roof, risking their safety.
The recent accident at Chittagong University has accentuated the urgent need for improved safety measures and infrastructure upgrades. Students are demanding a new compartment for the shuttle train to prevent such incidents in the future. The university administration is expected to address these concerns promptly and ensure the well-being of its students.
The safety and well-being of students should always be a top priority, and it is crucial for universities to provide safe transportation options. The incident at Chittagong University calls for a comprehensive review of the existing shuttle train service and the implementation of necessary measures to prevent similar accidents from occurring.
