Rail communication between Sylhet and the rest of the country, including Dhaka and Chattogram, was suspended on Wednesday night after several wagons of an oil tanker train derailed in Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj.

The accident occurred around 9:00pm near Montola Railway Station when at least five wagons of the Sylhet-bound fuel train went off the tracks, with some plunging into a nearby canal, according to local sources.

Oil Spill Raises Safety Concerns

A large amount of fuel spilled from the damaged wagons into the surrounding area, creating serious safety risks. Eyewitnesses reported that some locals were seen collecting the spilled fuel in a dangerous manner, prompting authorities to cordon off the area to prevent any untoward incident, particularly fire hazards.

Railway security personnel and local administration have taken position at the scene to ensure public safety.

Relief Train on the Way

A relief train has already departed from Akhaura Railway Station in Brahmanbaria and is heading towards the site to begin recovery operations.

Montola Station Master Ataur Rahman Khadem said that full-scale recovery work will commence once the relief train arrives. He added that it may take at least five hours to clear the line and restore train movement.

Cause of Derailment Unclear

The exact cause of the derailment remains uncertain, with railway officials offering differing explanations.

The Montola station master suggested that a mechanical fault in the train’s wheels could have caused the accident, while Noapara Station Master Monir Mia believes a defect in the railway track might be responsible.

Passengers Suffer

The sudden suspension of rail services has left thousands of passengers stranded at various stations. Intercity trains to and from Sylhet have been particularly affected, causing severe inconvenience.

Authorities said train services on the route will remain suspended until recovery operations are completed and the tracks are declared safe.

Meanwhile, officials have urged people to stay away from the site, warning that the spilled fuel poses a high risk of a major accident.