Two people died when a train collided with a drum truck in Gazipur, highlighting ongoing railway safety issues.
Gazipur Train Accident Claims Lives
On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at approximately 11:30 PM, a Dhaka-bound Panchagarh Express train collided with a drum truck at an unguarded level crossing in Gazipur’s Akkas Market area, killing the truck driver, Ujjwal Hossain, 37, and his helper, Babul Hossain, 55. The crash occurred on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, leaving the truck mangled.
The Gazipur train accident underscores persistent railway safety challenges in Bangladesh, particularly at unprotected level crossings, raising concerns about infrastructure and oversight in a region where rail transport is vital.
Details of the Gazipur Train Accident
The Panchagarh Express, which departed Dhaka after 10:00 PM, struck the soil-carrying truck as it attempted to cross the tracks. According to Joydebpur Railway Junction Station Master Mahmudul Hasan, the collision occurred at an unprotected crossing, a common feature in Bangladesh’s rail network. The impact was severe, leaving the truck severely damaged and both occupants critically injured.
Victims and Response
The deceased were identified as Ujjwal Hossain, son of Kurman Ali from Poila Purbo Para, Ghior upazila, Manikganj, and Babul Hossain, son of Shah Alam from Uttara Kamarpara, Dhaka. Local residents rushed the victims to nearby medical facilities. Babul Hossain was pronounced dead at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital, while Ujjwal Hossain succumbed to his injuries at Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital in Tongi. Both bodies were sent to the morgue at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
Inspector Nadiruzzaman of Joydebpur Junction Railway Police confirmed the incident occurred around 1:00 AM, though some reports suggest it happened at approximately 11:00 AM. Multiple sources indicate the collision took place near Kazi Bari around 11:00 AM. The precise time of the accident remains unclear and requires further confirmation.
Railway Safety Concerns
The Gazipur train accident highlights a recurring issue in Bangladesh: unguarded level crossings. These crossings, often lacking barriers or warning systems, pose significant risks to both road and rail users. According to Bangladesh Railway data from 2014–2020, 175 people died in railway accidents, many at similar unprotected crossings. The absence of adequate safety measures at Akkas Market’s crossing has sparked renewed calls for infrastructure improvements.
Mohammad Ali Jinnah of the Joydebpur Railway Station Police Outpost stated the train was moving at a normal speed when the truck crossed the tracks. Bangladesh Railway has not issued any official comment on the driver’s actions or whether signals were functional during the collision, and no formal position on the incident has been released publicly.
Background
Bangladesh’s railway network, a critical transport artery, has faced numerous accidents in recent years. In 2022, three people were killed in Gazipur’s Kaliganj upazila when a train hit a pickup van at another unprotected crossing. A 2023 collision in Kishoreganj district claimed 20 lives when a freight train hit a passenger train. These incidents highlight systemic issues, including outdated infrastructure and inadequate safety protocols. The Gazipur train accident adds to the urgency of addressing these challenges.
What’s Next
Authorities have launched an investigation into the Gazipur train accident to determine the cause and assess whether negligence or infrastructure failures contributed. The incident may prompt renewed discussions on modernising Bangladesh’s railway crossings and enhancing safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, September 3rd, 2025
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