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7 killed as train crashes into auto-rickshaw in Cumilla

Seven passengers of an auto-rickshaw were killed and another was injured when a train crashed into the vehicle in Cumilla on Tuesday morning.

The accident occurred at the Kalikapur level crossing in the Bakshimul union of Burichang upazila at 10:30am.

The deceased were identified as Ali Ahmed, Rafiq Miah, Sazu Miah, Lutfa Begum, Sanu Begum, and Safarzan Begum, residents of Bakshimul village, and Hosne Ara Begum of Khodaidhuli village in the upazila.

Md Emran Hossain, Officer-in-charge of the Laksam railway police station, confirmed the incident to Jago News. 

He said the Chattala Express train, which had departed from Chattogram, struck an auto-rickshaw at the Kalikapur level crossing. As a result, the auto-rickshaw was thrown off the tracks, and four passengers were killed on the spot. Four others were seriously injured, and while local residents were transporting them to the upazila health complex, another passenger died on the way. Among remaining injured, two others died in hospital.

He also mentioned that railway and local police arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. Train services on this route are operating normally.