Cox’s Bazar Express’ engine breaks down, more than 800 tourists in trouble

The engine of the Dhaka-bound ‘Cox’s Bazar Express’ train that left Cox’s Bazar broke down and was stranded at Islamabad station for 3 hours. More than 800 Dhaka-bound tourists are in trouble.

The train got stuck at Islamabad station in Eidgaon upazila on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route at around 1:30 pm on Sunday (June 15), said Mohammad Golam Rabbani, manager of Cox’s Bazar Iconic Station.

He said that the train has 23 coaches and more than 800 passengers are staying there.

Quoting the train’s officials, Golam Rabbani said, “The Cox’s Bazar Express train left the Iconic Station for Dhaka at 1:45 pm 15 minutes after the scheduled time. When the train reached Islamabad station at around 1:30 pm, the engine suddenly broke down. This left more than 800 tourists stranded there. He said that the accident mainly occurred due to the train’s engine motor burning out.

The iconic station manager also said, “There is no relief train or loco at Cox’s Bazar station. The concerned have been informed to bring the engine from Chittagong to start the train. A relief train with the engine has left Chittagong for Islamabad station. The relief train passed Lohagara station at around 3:30 pm. The train is scheduled to reach Islamabad station in the afternoon.

Chittagong Divisional Railway Manager ABM Kamruzzaman said, “The ‘Cox’s Bazar Express’ train will leave for Dhaka only after the broken engine is removed and a new engine is connected. The relief train has left from Chittagong with a new engine.”