Bangladesh: Four die after train catches fire in Dhaka, police suspect arson ahead of national polls

At least 4 individuals died after an intercity train caught fire in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka on Friday (January 5, 2024).

Police suspect it was a deliberate assault.

The Benapole Express was travelling from Jessore, the western metropolis situated near India, to Dhaka.

According to stories, Benapole Express caught fire at 9.05 pm in Gopibagh space of the town.

The identities of the deceased individuals usually are not recognized thus far.

Seven firefighting items introduced the blaze beneath management at 10:20pm, Rakibul Hasan, obligation officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence informed Dhaka Tribune.

Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Mahid Uddin stated the assault on the train was deliberate.

“We can not say for positive who carried out the arson assault however it’s sabotage for positive,” he was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune whereas speaking to the journalists in the capital’s Gopibagh at round 11:30pm.

“Such behaviour in the direction of frequent individuals, youngsters and girls are inhumane,” he stated.

He feared individuals who dedicated the crime might need disguised themselves as passengers.

According to stories, 5 compartments of the train had been gutted.

The incident occurred only a day earlier than Bangladesh votes in the national polls.

Seven-member probe physique fashioned

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Railways, in the meantime, fashioned a seven-member committee to probe the fire.

The committee has been ordered to submit its report inside three working days, Siraj-ud-Daula Khan, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Railways, informed Somoy TV.

Bangladesh polls

Bangladesh will vote in the national elections on Sunday.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and several other different political events have boycotted it.

The BNP launched a violent avenue marketing campaign marred by arson assaults and vandalism to oust the federal government, Somoy TV reported.

The political outfit even known as for a 48-hour common strike from Saturday (Jan 6) morning to Monday (Jan 8) to discourage voters from voting.