Four dead, including two children, and many injured after passenger train set on fire in Bangladesh
At least four people, including two children, were killed and many others injured in Dhaka on Friday when suspected arsonists set fire to a passenger train coming from Benapole, a port city bordering India. The incident occurred around 9 pm when four carriages of the Benapole Express were set ablaze as it approached its destination, the Kamalapur Railway Station in the capital.
So far we have found four bodies…searches are still underway, said Shahjahan Shikdar, spokesman of the Fire Service and Civil Defence. He added that railway officials confirmed most of the train’s approximately 292 passengers were returning home from India.
Brigadier General Mohammad Main Uddin, the chief of the fire service, confirmed that two of the deceased were young children. Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing moments when they attempted to rescue trapped passengers. One witness described their failed attempt to save a middle-aged man who insisted they save his wife and children instead. The fire quickly engulfed the carriage, leading to the man’s tragic death.
Reports suggest that some Indian nationals were also aboard the train, though no official confirmation has been provided. While the exact number of wounded passengers remains unknown, local residents in the vicinity of the incident acted swiftly to assist those affected. They transported several individuals with burn injuries to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s burn unit and other medical facilities.
The tragedy comes as Bangladesh prepares for its general elections, scheduled to take place on Sunday. The main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has chosen to boycott the elections as it demands an interim non-party neutral government to oversee the process. This demand has been rejected by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ruling Awami League-led government.
Despite the heightened political tension surrounding the election, the incident appears to be an isolated act of arson. Bangladesh has experienced several train-related incidents in recent months, including a train being set ablaze, the uprooting of railway tracks causing derailment, and an attempted major crash due to sabotaged tracks. The Awami League has accused the BNP of orchestrating these incidents, an accusation the BNP vehemently denies.
As the investigation into this tragic incident continues, authorities hope to shed light on the motivations behind the act of arson. The safety and security of passengers remain a concern, and measures are being taken to prevent further incidents on the railway network.
Bangladesh’s general elections have attracted international attention, with over 100 foreign observers, including three from India, monitoring the proceedings. The United Nations has also expressed its intention to closely watch the elections. The outcome of the polls will play a crucial role in determining the country’s political landscape moving forward.
The incident serves as a reminder of the need for a peaceful and secure environment during this critical time for the nation. Authorities urge all parties involved to exercise restraint and prioritize the best interests of the people of Bangladesh.
As the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victims and taking steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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