Five killed in Gazipur train-car crash

• 

A train has hit a car on a level-crossing at Gazipur killing five persons.

The accident has been reported from Kaliakoir Upazila's Nayanagar around 9:15am, said Sub Inspector Md Russell of Kaliakoir police.
 
Dhaka's train communications with the northern part of the country had been disrupted for hour after one of the coaches of the train derailed, said Joydebpur Railway Junction's Station Master Shahidul Islam.
 
Kaliakoir police OC Abdul Motaleb Mia told bdnews24.com that the level-crossing had no basic protection or warning systems.
 
As soon as the car reached the level-crossing, it was hit by the Kolkata-bound Maitree Express train, he said.
 

Witnesses said the car turned into a mangled heap as it got stuck to the engine of the speeding train.
 
The car was dragged along for about one and half kilometers until the train reached a bridge.
 
Ruins of the car were found scattered under the bridge.
 
The train, however, kept going for another half a kilometre before one of its coach got derailed, said OC Mia.
 

The victims have been identified as Nusrat Zahan Lucky, 36, her 6-year-old daughter Rubaida Nusrat Riva, 30-year-old Sonia Akter, her 5-year-old son Tahsin Ahmed Talha and the driver Minhaz Uddin, 45.
 
The crash left the Dhaka-bound Sirajganj Express and Chapai Express trains and the Sundarban Express Dhumketu Express and Nilsagar Express trains, which had left from Dhaka, stranded at different railway stations for six hours, said Station Master Islam of Joydebpur Railway Junction.
 

Locals said the level-crossing has been left unprotected for the last few years since the construction of the road.
 
Resident Shahjahan Mia said the authorities have only put up a warning sign. 
 
Mia said a man died last year at this level-crossing when run over by a train. "We have been demanding a barrier and a warning system, but it's yet to happen."