Railway communications in Dhaka-Rajshahi routes have suspended after a derailment of nine oil carriages at Charghat Upazila of Rajshahi.
The derailment also snapped rail links between the district and other railway zones throughout the country.
The accident occurred at Digalkandi on Wednesday evening but rescue work is likely to run into Thursday morning, according to railway authorities.
“Rescue operation started at 10:30pm and it would take at least 12 hours to restore due to incessant rain,” Bangladesh Railway General Manager (West) Shahidul Islam said.
Rajshahi railway superintendent Abdul Karim told Barta24 that all trains, including Dhaka-bound Dhumketu Express, scheduled to leave at 11:20pm, have been cancelled.
The passengers have been refunded and sufficient security measures already taken in all stations in the route, he said.
The oil carriages went off the track after the train run about a kilometre from Sarada Station towards Rajshahi, the official said.
Railway GM Shahidul said they have suspended Assistant Engineer Abdur Rashid over the derailment of the carriages.
Three different committees’ headed by Departmental Transport Officer Abdullah Al Mamun is investigating the accident, he informed Barta24.com.