Dhaka, October 23: Tragedy struck as a cargo train collided with a passenger train on the outskirts of Dhaka in Bhairab Upazila, Bangladesh, on Monday, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and 50 injuries.

According to Mohammad Ferdous, the Officer-in-Charge of Kamalapur Railway Police, two relief trains have been dispatched to Bhairab to initiate rescue operations. Fire service personnel are also actively engaged in providing emergency relief to assist the injured.

The exact cause of the collision remains unknown, and an investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances leading to the incident.

This accident occurred when a cargo train bound for Chattogram collided with the rear coaches of the Dhaka-bound Egarosindur Godhuli Express passenger train, as reported by Azizul Haque Rajon.

Train collisions are not uncommon in Bangladesh due to unmonitored railway crossings, inadequate signaling, and official negligence.

Authorities have confirmed that some individuals are still trapped beneath the wreckage, and rescue efforts are ongoing.

Mosharraf Hossain, an official with the Fire and Services department, mentioned that local residents have also joined in the rescue operation. To date, at least 20 bodies have been recovered, with the potential for more casualties.

"Bhairab Station Master Yusuf revealed that rail connections from Dhaka to Chittagong, Dhaka to Sylhet, Mymensingh to Chittagong, and Sylhet to Kishoreganj were suspended for more than four hours following the incident.