October 25, 2023
DHAKA – The locomaster of the container train was supposed to stop the train ahead of Bhairab Bazar Junction Railway Station as both the outer and home signals were red.
But the locomaster violated both the signals before hitting the Egarosindhur Godhuli near the station on Monday, killing 18 and injuring scores, said officials of Bangladesh Railway.
The casualties could have been more had the trains been running at higher speeds. Both the trains were operating at 20 to 25 kilometres per hour, they said.
On the other hand, the huge crowd inside the passenger train might have caused more casualties as there were many standing passengers.
“So far, our finding is that the accident occurred due to ‘human error’ on the side of the locomaster. Some other issues are on discussion but we are yet to confirm those
The committee will hold its first meeting today, where the suspended locomaster, assistant locomaster and guard of the container train were asked to appear before it, he added.
Another BR official said they had seen the ‘data logger system’ at Bhairab station after the accident and found both the outer and home signals were not in favour of the container train.
But, the locomaster overshot the signal and hit the passenger train, which was changing lines, smashing into the third from the last carriage.
Even if the container train hit the passenger train, it would ultimately get derailed as the switch was not in its favour.
“He [the locomaster] was not supposed to make such a major mistake,” the BR official added.
WHY SUCH HUMAN ERRORS?
On November 12, 2019, two intercity trains collided in Kasba of Brahmanbaria killing 16 people and injuring more than 70 people.
Negligence of the driver, his assistant and the guard of Turna Nishita Express was found responsible for the fatal train as they did not operate it following the signals properly, a probe found.
On April 16, Dhaka-bound Sonar Bangla Express hit a freight train at Nangalkot of Cumilla, leading seven carriages and the locomotive to derail. As many as 30 people were injured.
BR suspended four of staffers including the locomaster, assistant locomaster and the guard of the Sonar Bangla Express for their negligence.
Lack of proper safety compliance, strict surveillance, absence of exemplary punishment for such negligence and extra workload of running staffers are behind the accidents caused due to “human error,” said a BR official.
Meanwhile, the railways ministry yesterday formed a seven-member committee led by joint secretary (audit and ICT) Hashan Mahmud. The committee was asked to submit the report within seven working days.
Earlier, BR formed two separate committees to investigate the accident and they have already started their work.