Although train service remained suspended for more than two months, at least 113 people were killed and 15 others injured in 105-rail related accidents across the country in the last six months, says a report jointly made by two rights bodies.

Twenty women and 11 children were among the victims in the accidents that occurred between January and June this year, according to Green Club of Bangladesh (GCB) and National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR).

The organisations prepared the report based on news published in 24 national and 10 regional dailies and nine online news portals and news agencies, said a press release today.

Lack of awareness and poor maintenance of level crossings and railway bridges were among issues that contributed to the continuation in rail-related accidents, the organisations said.

According to the report, 29 people lost their lives in January, 44 people in February, 19 in March, four in May and 17 people in June.

The GCB and the NCPSRR identified five major reasons behind the rise in railway accidents that include use of mobile phones by pedestrians while crossing rail tracks, lack of pedestrians' awareness, negligence of railway employees and poor maintenance of level-crossings, rail tracks and rail bridges.

Ashis Kumar Dey, general secretary of the NCPSRR, said train service for passengers remained suspended from late March to May to contain spread of Covid-19, so the above number of accidents and casualties actually happened in four months.

https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/113-killed-rail-related-accidents-six-months-report-1928113