DHAKA: At least 16 people died and 40 others injured after a head-on collision of two trains in Brahmanbaria, about 100 km east of capital Dhaka on Tuesday.
A train heading for Chittagong and another bound for Dhaka collided at around 3 a.m. early this morning crumpling three compartments of the train.
Television broadcast footage of doctors treating people for head injuries and broken limbs at hospitals.
District official Hayat Ud Dowlah Khan said 16 bodies have been recovered so far saying that the toll could rise during the rescue effort.
Officials from the department of fire, police, border guard and army officials were engaged in rescue operations, international media reports have said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has, meanwhile, expressed shock and sorrow at the injuries and the loss of lives.
She has urged officials and the public to provide support for the victims.
It was not clear how the two trains came on the same track. The government has ordered an investigation. (Agencies)
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