Oil-laden train derails, rail links with Sylhet halted

Rail communication between Sylhet and the rest of the country has been suspended after a fuel-laden train derailed in Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj tonight (1 April).

The incident occurred around 9:15pm at Montola Railway Station, where at least four wagons of the train went off the tracks. One of the derailed wagons fell into a roadside ditch.

Confirming the matter, Noapara Railway Station Master Md Monir Mia, said the train suddenly derailed, disrupting rail connectivity with Sylhet immediately after the incident.

Noapara Police Outpost officer-in-charge Lal Mia said that law enforcement personnel are present at the scene, while railway officials are working to recover the derailed train.

According to sources, the train, carrying fuel oil from Chattogram to Sylhet, derailed while passing through the station. Eyewitnesses said several wagons were badly damaged, with some thrown off the tracks into adjacent land.

Railway authorities said they were preparing to begin salvage operations at the site. However, the exact cause of the derailment remains unknown, and no casualties have been reported so far.

Local sources also said that some people rushed to collect spilt fuel oil from the derailed wagons.

Due to the accident, the schedules of several trains, including the Sylhet-Chattogram intercity Udayan Express, are likely to be disrupted.