A freight train carrying diesel derailed in Chattogram’s Halishahar area and around 40,000 litres spilled from three wagons into a nearby canal.

The derailment happened around 6pm when the train was entering Chittagong Goods Port Yard (CGPY) depot after loading diesel from depots of Padma, Megha and Jamuna in Patenga area.

Abdul Malek, a master at CGPY, said the train was supposed to go to Dhaka from Chattogram but it derailed after loading.   

“Efforts are on to recover the derailed train,” he said.  

A three member probe committee was formed to investigate the incident, Tarek Imran, an official at Eastern Railway Transport department, said.

According to the railway security department, every wagon can contain 38,000 to 40,000 litres of oil. Three wagons overturned within 15 to 20 minutes after they were loaded with oil when it was entering the depot.   

Experts said oil spilled from the wagons into the water bodies will pose a serious threat to the aquatic ecosystem.

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