Pabna, Aug. 15 (V7N) — At least 15 passengers were injured after a shunting locomotive hit the stationary Mahananda Express at Ishwardi Junction railway station in Pabna on Friday evening.

The incident occurred after the Khulna-Rajshahi-bound Mahananda Express had stopped at the station. The collision reportedly caused panic among passengers, with some of them chasing the locomotive driver following the incident.

Aslam Hossain, station master at Ishwardi Junction, said the Mahananda Express was standing at the station when a shunting engine approached from behind and struck the train with considerable force.

At least 15 passengers sustained injuries in the collision, he said.

Ziaur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Ishwardi Railway GRP Police Station, said police rushed to the scene after receiving the report and arranged medical treatment for the injured passengers.

“The injured passengers received initial treatment and were subsequently released. The Mahananda Express later resumed its journey towards Rajshahi,” he said.

He added that passengers chased the locomotive driver immediately after the collision, prompting him to leave the area temporarily before returning later.

Following news of the accident, Pabna-4 MP Professor Abu Taleb Mondal visited Ishwardi Junction that night. He inspected the scene, spoke to the injured passengers and discussed the incident with railway officials, employees and railway police.

“There can be no compromise when it comes to the safety of railway passengers. It is important to investigate how the shunting engine ended up striking the rear of the Mahananda Express. If there was any negligence in the performance of duty, those responsible must be identified and appropriate action taken,” the MP said.

He also spoke with railway officials and police personnel at the station and issued instructions aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future.

Local passengers and eyewitnesses have called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the collision and whether any negligence contributed to the incident.

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