DHAKA, Bangladesh: A fatal incident occurred in Gazipur, on the outskirts of Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, as seven train compartments derailed on an overpass on Wednesday.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 4:00 am local time, resulted in the loss of one life, with around eight individuals sustaining injuries, as reported by Hanif Ali, the chief of the local Joydebpur Railway Station.
“One person was killed on the spot when seven bogies of the train, including the engine, went off the tracks,” he added.
The derailment of the train disrupted railway communications between the capital Dhaka and other parts of the country for several hours. The incident occurred when saboteurs allegedly severed a section of the railway line in Gazipur, attributing it to the ongoing opposition movement.
The opposition movement has been marked by reports of vehicle vandalism, arson attacks, and frequent violent clashes between police and protesters in Dhaka and various locations across the South Asian country since late October.
Following the Election Commission’s announcement of the 12th parliamentary election schedule, Bangladesh’s main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and its allies declared a nationwide blockade of roads, rail lines, and waterways lasting 36 hours from Tuesday morning. —Xinhua/APP