A passenger was killed after being struck by lightning while travelling on the roof of a train in Narsingdi, raising fresh concerns over railway safety despite authorities’ claims of heightened security ahead of Eid travel.

The deceased, identified as Sajib Sarkar, 40, died while riding on the roof of the intercity Upakul Express near the Ghorshal flag station and bridge area in Narsingdi on Sunday evening.

According to railway police, Sajib was travelling on the roof of coach No. 6 of the train, which was heading from Dhaka to Noakhali. Witnesses said he was struck by lightning during a sudden thunderstorm and died on the spot.

The train later arrived at Narsingdi Railway Station, where railway police recovered the body from the roof of the train. Authorities confirmed his identity through his national ID card and mobile phone before contacting his family members.

Police said the victim was a resident of Fuldi village under Palashtali Union in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi.

Sub-Inspector Dilip Chandra Sarkar of the Narsingdi Railway Police Outpost said the process of handing over the body to the family was underway.

The incident has sparked public debate, particularly as Bangladesh Railway recently announced strict measures to prevent passengers from travelling on train rooftops during the Eid rush.

Railway authorities had claimed that a three-tier security system, additional surveillance and increased deployment of law enforcement personnel were in place at railway stations nationwide.

However, following the fatal incident, questions have emerged over how a passenger managed to travel a long distance on the roof of an intercity train despite the heightened security measures.

Railway officials have once again urged passengers to avoid rooftop travel, warning that such journeys carry serious risks, including lightning strikes, electrocution and collisions with bridges or overhead electrical structures.