Rail communication on between Khulna and Dhaka via Rajshahi and northern districts was restored on Sunday afternoon after the derailed compartments of an oil tanker train were recovered at the Sabdarpur railway station at Jhenaidah’s Kotchandpur upazila.
The derailment occurred at about 6:00am on the day, snapping rail communication on the Khulna-Rajshahi-Dhaka and Khulna-Chilahati in Nilphamari routes.
Local residents expressed concern that this was the second derailment at the same spot within a short time as another cargo train derailed there on May 22.
The Sunday derailment brought immense suffering to hundreds of passengers bound for different destinations.
Railway officials said that four compartments—three compartments carrying oil-laden barrels and the guard brake—of the Parbatipur-bound ‘7 Up’ oil tanker train coming from Khulna, veered off the tracks while entering Sabdarpur station.
Following the incident, the intact compartments of the train were detached and allowed to proceed to their destination, leaving the derailed coaches behind.
The derailment led to the suspension of all train services from Khulna to Rajshahi, Chilahati in Nilphamari, and Dhaka, compelling many passengers to return from the stations, while others opted for road travel.
The Chilahati-bound Simanta Express train was also turned back from Sabdarpur station following the disruption, railway officials said.
Witnesses reported that they rushed to the spot hearing a loud bang early in the morning and found the compartments off the tracks, with several sections of the railway line visibly damaged.
Local people expressed growing concern over the incident, noting that this was the second derailment at exactly the same location within a short period.
Earlier on May 22, several compartments of a Sirajganj-bound molasses-laden cargo train derailed there.
Sabdarpur railway station master Golam Rasul Nayan said that the derailment snapped train services on several key routes.
He declined to comment on the immediate cause of the accident or the extent of the damage.
The station master said that a rescue train was engaged for the recovery of the derailed compartments.