Probe bodies formed following train collision that killed 17 in Bangladesh

The Bangladeshi government formed probe bodies Tuesday to investigate a deadly train collision Monday in central Bhairab town that killed at least 17 people and injured more than 100, according to officials.

The district administration, railway and the fire service department have formed separate investigation committees, Mohammad Sadiqur Rahman Sabuz, chief administrative officer of Bhairab told Anadolu.

He said three people, including the station master, have been suspended.

"We recovered a total of 17 dead bodies from the spot while over 100 people got injured in the incident," said Sabuz, adding that the bodies were released to their families.

"The collision between the two trains happened because a situation emerged over following signals. Now the probe bodies will investigate if the station gave the wrong signal or the trains ignored the signals," he said.

"As it was a commuter train, it was overloaded and completely filled up. Over 1,000 people were on board the train and two last coaches of the commuter train were damaged badly. In those two coaches, about 300 people were traveling. We fear huge numbers of people got injured but yet to confirm the exact figure," the official said.

The deadly accident occurred when a freight train and a commuter train collided in the Kishoreganj district.

Some cars of the passenger train were overturned, causing passengers to be trapped inside.