12 killed, dozens injured as bus collides with train in southeastern Bangladesh

Sunday 22 March 2026 - 10:45

At least 12 people were killed and 26 others injured in a tragic bus-train collision in the Comilla district of southeastern Bangladesh on Sunday, authorities reported. The victims included two women and three children, while ten of the injured remain hospitalized.

The incident occurred when a bus reportedly entered a railway crossing at Paduar Bazar rail crossing and was struck by a Dhaka-bound train departing from Chittagong. The train dragged the bus approximately one kilometer, highlighting the severity of the collision.

Fire Service and Civil Defense officials, including Deputy Assistant Director Mohammad Idris, indicated that the lack of signaling at the crossing may have contributed to the accident. In response, Bangladesh Railway has suspended two gatekeepers and formed two investigation committees to determine the causes of the crash.

Bangladesh frequently experiences heavy congestion in trains, buses, and ferry terminals, particularly around holiday periods such as Eid, placing significant pressure on the country’s transportation infrastructure. This latest incident follows a derailment of the Nilsagar Express in the Bogra district just four days earlier, which left about 66 people injured.

Authorities continue to investigate and call for improved safety measures at railway crossings to prevent further tragedies.