One coach of Dhaka-bound Silk City Express left the tracks near Shaheed M Mansur Ali Railway Station in Sirajganj

Train services between Dhaka and northern Bangladesh were suspended this morning after a coach of the Dhaka-bound Silk City Express derailed near Shaheed M Mansur Ali Railway Station in Sirajganj.

The incident occurred around 10:55am as the Rajshahi-origin intercity train was passing through the station, said Md Moniruzzaman, station master of Jamuna Bridge West Railway Station.

He said one coach left the tracks between Shaheed M Mansur Ali Railway Station and Jamuna Bridge West Railway Station. The train came to an immediate halt after the emergency brake chain was pulled, preventing any casualties.

The derailment suspended all train movement between Dhaka and northern Bangladesh. Services to the south-west, which also use the Jamuna Rail Bridge, were also suspended as there is no alternative railway route across the river.

Moniruzzaman said the Nilphamari-bound Nil Sagar Express was stranded at Jamuna Bridge West Railway Station, while two other northbound trains were halted at different stations.

Several passenger trains remained stranded at stations along the route, causing inconvenience to commuters.

Railway authorities said relief crews and a rescue train were on their way to the site to clear the tracks and restore services.