15 killed as trains collide

At least 15 people were killed and more than 100 others injured in a collision between two trains in Brahmanbaria's Kasba upazila early Tuesday.

The accident occurred when Dhaka-bound Turna Nishitha from Chattogram and Chattogram-bound Udayan Express from Sylhet collided at 2:48am, said deputy commissioner of the district Hayat Ud Dowla.

"So far, 15 bodies have been recovered. A temporary camp has also been opened near the spot," the DC said to Prothom Alo.

The death toll could rise as rescue operations are going on, he added.

According to witnesses and station officials, the two trains came to be on the same track because the driver of Turna Nishitha violated a signal given at the Mandbagh railway station, mangling three compartments of the Udayan Express.

All the deceased 15 could have been the passengers of the Udayan Express, they added.

Firefighters from Brahmanbaria Sadar, Akhaura and Kasba rushed to the spot and have been carrying out the rescue operations with police, railway authorities and local people.

The injured were taken to hospitals in Kasba, Akhaura and in the district town.

The train services between Dhaka and Chattogram remain suspended following the accident.