SREEMANGAL, June 8, 2026 — Two young men lost their lives and three others sustained injuries in separate incidents after falling from the roofs of moving trains in Sreemangal over the last two days, raising fresh concerns over passenger safety ahead of the Eid travel rush.

The accidents occurred near Dwarikapal Women's Degree College in the North Sur area of Sreemangal, where railway authorities have long identified rooftop travel as a high-risk practice.

According to railway sources, the first incident took place around 3:00 pm on Saturday (June 6), when two passengers — Enamul Mia Fahim, 25, and Md Siam, 18, both from Brahmanbaria's Nabinagar upazila — fell from the roof of the Dhaka-bound intercity Jayantika Express.

Fire Service personnel and Railway Police rescued the victims and rushed them to Sreemangal Upazila Health Complex. They were later referred to Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment. Fahim's condition deteriorated rapidly, and he died while being taken to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Siam remains under treatment.

Less than 24 hours later, tragedy struck again at nearly the same location. At approximately 3:10 pm on Sunday (June 7), an unidentified man, believed to be around 35 years old, was killed after falling from the roof of the Chattogram-bound intercity Paharika Express. Another passenger, Samchu Mia, 30, was injured in the same incident. Preliminary information suggests that both individuals were residents of Rangpur district.

Officials at Sreemangal Upazila Health Complex confirmed that Samchu Mia received primary treatment on Sunday, while Fahim had earlier been referred for higher medical care before succumbing to his injuries.

Speaking on Monday morning, Md Jahangir Alam, Officer-in-Charge of Sreemangal Railway Police Station, said separate unnatural death cases had been filed in connection with the two incidents.

"UD Case No. 17 dated June 6 was filed over the death linked to the Jayantika Express, while UD Case No. 18 dated June 7 was registered following the fatal fall from the Paharika Express," he said.

The bodies of both deceased passengers have been kept at Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital morgue pending autopsy procedures.

The railway police chief further said that the identity of the deceased passenger from the Paharika Express remains unknown. The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) in Moulvibazar has been informed and has already visited the scene to assist in identification efforts.

"Initial findings suggest the victims may have been struck by overhanging tree branches or lost balance while travelling on the train roof," he added.

Sreemangal Railway Station Master Md Sakhawat Hossain described the back-to-back fatalities as deeply unfortunate.

"Despite repeated warnings, some passengers continue to risk their lives by travelling on train roofs. These tragic incidents once again demonstrate how dangerous such practices can be," he said.

The accidents come at a time when Bangladesh Railway has announced heightened security measures to prevent rooftop travel during the Eid holiday season. Railway authorities claim that three-tier security arrangements, increased surveillance and additional law enforcement patrols have been deployed at major stations nationwide.

However, the latest deaths have prompted renewed scrutiny over the effectiveness of those measures.

Many observers are questioning how passengers continue to gain access to train roofs and travel long distances despite repeated warnings and enhanced monitoring.

The incidents also echo a recent tragedy in Narsingdi's Ghorashal area, where a passenger identified as Sajib Sarkar, 40, died after being struck by lightning while travelling on the roof of the intercity Upakul Express on May 24.

Railway authorities have once again urged passengers to refrain from rooftop travel, warning that riders face life-threatening risks from tree branches, bridges, overhead structures, electrical hazards, lightning strikes and accidental falls.

The two deaths in Sreemangal within just 48 hours serve as a grim reminder that travelling on the roof of a train is not merely reckless — it can be fatal.