Despite being considered one of the safest modes of transport, Bangladesh Railway continues to witness frequent fatalities on the railway tracks.
According to railway sources, in the past six years, at least 54 people have died in seven major train mishaps in the eastern region alone. In the last one decade, over 9,000 people have died after being hit by trains across the country.
They also said 33% of the level crossings across the country have no guards, making them prone to accidents. Even when accidents occur, punitive measures typically target only low-level employees, leaving systemic flaws unaddressed.
However, experts have blamed the combination of unguarded level crossings, careless operations, and poor supervision.
They warn that unless Bangladesh modernises its rail infrastructure especially through elevation, its “safe” transport network will continue to claim lives.
Md Subuktagin, general manager of the Eastern Railway, said, “Every accident is investigated, and disciplinary action is taken where negligence is found. We are also focusing on enhanced driver training and awareness.”
Latest tragedy in Chattogram
The most recent accident occurred on 28 October in Sagarika area of Chattogram, when a truck carrying rice for Rohingyas drove recklessly onto the railway track and was hit by a moving freight train.
The truck driver died on the spot, the vehicle got twisted, and train services were halted for several hours. Railway police termed the incident a result of “recklessness.”
Major train accidents in eastern zone
In the last six years, the eastern region has witnessed a series of deadly crashes: In 2019, a collision between “Turna Nishitha” and “Udayan Express” took place in Kasba of Brahmanbaria, leaving 16 passengers dead.
In 2021, a train accident occurred due to the negligence of a gateman in Jhautola of Chattogram, killing three people. In 2022, a collision between a microbus and a train left 13 dead in Mirsarai.
In 2023, “Sonar Bangla Express” collided with a freight train in Nangalkot of Cumilla, injuring at least 50 people. In 2023, train collision claimed 19 lives in Bhairab of Kishoreganj. In June 2025, three tourists were killed after being struck by a train near Kalurghat of Chattogram. The train mishaps have also injured more than 100 people.
Nationwide casualties and unnatural deaths
According to railway police, an average of three people die every day on rail tracks across Bangladesh. In the last 10 years, 9,450 people have been killed in the accident – nearly 4,000 of them in just last three years.
Legally, these cases are recorded as “unnatural deaths” since railway tracks are not public walkways where trespassing is prohibited.
Experts, however, say the ongoing fatalities are not simply the result of individual carelessness, but reflect deeper planning failures.
Professor Dr Md Shamsul Haque of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) told TIMES of Bangladesh, “Ours is a densely populated country. Because of heavy traffic on roads, people often use railway tracks for shortcuts – and that’s where deaths happen. Collisions with trucks also damage locomotives, adding to railway losses.”
He has criticised “short-sighted and unscientific development,” arguing that Bangladesh is not benefitting fully from railway investments. As a long-term measure, he has urged the government to make railway lines elevated, especially the Dhaka–Chattogram corridor.
“If the Dhaka–Chattogram rail lines are elevated, it would improve speed, safety, and connectivity. There’s no alternative to elevation if we want to prevent deaths and modernise the system.”
Accountability limited to low-level workers
In most railway accidents, investigations end with punishment for low-ranking employees. In October 2024, after a collision in Brahmanbaria’s Bijoynagar, two locomotive masters and a guard were suspended.
In November 2023, two assistant drivers were dismissed over a signal violation in Kasba of Brahmanbaria. In 2022, following a derailment in Chattogram’s Halishahar, show-cause notices were served on a gatekeeper and a stationmaster. In June 2025, four employees were suspended after the Kalurghat accident.
One-third of level crossings remain unguarded
Bangladesh has about 2,789 level crossings, including 1,468 authorised and 1,321 unauthorised ones. Of the authorised crossings, only 564 have gatekeepers with 904 or roughly 33% unguarded. In the Eastern Zone alone, around 434 approved level crossings remain without guards.
