Photo: BSS

NAOGAON, March 19, 2026 (BSS) - Rail communication between Dhaka and North Bengal resumed on Thursday morning after remaining suspended for about 21 hours due to the derailment of nine coaches of the Nilsagar Express in Santahar, Bogura.

The accident occurred around 2:00 pm on Wednesday at Bagbari Dakshin Para area near Santahar Junction. The train, which departed from Dhaka, derailed leaving nearly 100 passengers injured and causing significant disruption to rail services on the busy route.

Following the incident, railway authorities, along with police and fire service personnel, rushed to the scene and began rescue operations. Two relief trains were dispatched from Ishwardi and Parbatipur to rescue the derailed coaches. Rescue operation work continued throughout the night.

Santahar Station Master Khadija Khatun confirmed that train movement resumed around 11:00 am on Thursday after clearance of the accident site. Five recovered coaches have been evacuated while the remaining four were moved aside to restore the track.

Assistant Station Master Shahidul Islam Ranju has been temporarily suspended, while the train driver remains absconding.

A four-member investigation committee has been formed to determine the exact cause of the derailment.

The disruption caused immense suffering to passengers, particularly those traveling home ahead of Eid. With train services now restored, normalcy has returned to the route, although recovery operations at the site are still ongoing.