ONLINE DESK

Five people, including a child and an auto-rickshaw driver, were killed when a passenger train hit a three-wheeler at an unmanned rail crossing in Cox’s Bazar on Saturday.

Enraged locals later blocked another train for over two hours in protest.

The fatal accident occurred around 1:15 PM at the Dhalirchhara rail crossing in Rashidnagar union of Ramu upazila on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route, according to Ramu Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tayebur Rahman.

The victims were identified as Habib Ullah, 40, the driver of the auto-rickshaw from Eidgaon; Renu Akter, 32, from Bharuakhali; Asaul Hosna, 27, from Kalirchhara, and her two sons—13-month-old Ataullah and 3-year-old Asheq Ullah.

Acting Rashidnagar Union Chairman Abdul Malek Masum said the Cox’s Bazar Express train, which had departed from iconic Cox’s Bazar railway station, collided with the auto-rickshaw as it attempted to cross the tracks toward Varuakhali. The train dragged the vehicle nearly one kilometer before it came to a halt.

All five passengers died at the scene as the vehicle was crushed beyond recognition. The train continued on its route after the incident.

By 2:30 PM, an incoming tourist train from Chattogram was stopped by enraged locals at the accident site, suspending train services in the area for about two and a half hours.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Md Jasim Uddin Chowdhury said police and army personnel arrived at the scene and dispersed the crowd by 5 PM. Rail operations resumed shortly afterward.