Three people were killed as a train rammed a van in Comilla Sadar upazila yesterday. According to locals, the vehicle had suddenly broken down at South Bijoypur Jailkhana Bari Level Crossing.

The victims are Abdur Rashid, 42, regional supervisor of Sentry Security Services Ltd, Abu Taher, 50, field officer of the company, and Sohel Mia, the van driver.

Witness Sua Mia, a tea stall owner, said the accident happened around 11:30am when the Sylhet-bound Paharika Express from Chittagong hit the vehicle at the level crossing.

The mangled van on the railway track. Photo: Star

The train pushed the van along the railway track for around one and a half kilometres, killing all three passengers. Two of them died on the spot, while the other on the way to Comilla Medical College Hospital, he added.

Swapan Kandari Barua, sub-inspector of Laksham Railway Police, said there was no gate or gateman at the level crossing.

The mangled van was recovered from the spot, he added.