Railway authorities have formed a four-member investigation committee after nine coaches of the Dhaka–Chilahati-bound Nilsagar Express derailed in Bagmari area of Adamdighi upazila, Bogura. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning when the train, which departed Dhaka at 6:45 a.m., reportedly failed to follow a banner signal while heading toward Tilakpur station. A total of 66 passengers were injured in the accident.

According to official information, 20 injured passengers are receiving treatment at Naogaon Sadar Hospital, while 40 others were released after primary care. Six more were treated and released from Adamdighi Upazila Health Complex in Bogura. Relief trains from Ishwardi and Parbatipur were dispatched to assist in rescue operations. The investigation committee is led by the chief transport officer and includes the mechanical engineer, chief engineer, and chief signal engineer.

Railway authorities have warned that Thursday morning’s Nilsagar Express and Ekota Express departures from Dhaka may face slight delays. They have expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to passengers.

Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Amin-ur Rashid stated that Bangladesh has adequate food reserves to meet national demand and that the ongoing war will not impact the country’s food supply. He made the remarks on Wednesday, March 18, at the inauguration of a food distribution program held at Shimpur High School field in Cumilla Adarsha Sadar upazila.

The minister said the current BNP-led government is fulfilling its pre-election promises, unlike previous administrations. He highlighted initiatives such as the distribution of family cards and upcoming farmer cards, which will begin on the first day of the Bengali New Year in 11 districts. Plans are also underway to introduce agricultural insurance to compensate farmers for crop losses due to floods or droughts, and the government has waived agricultural loans up to 10,000 taka.

Amin-ur Rashid emphasized strengthening the agriculture-based economy, ensuring fair prices for farmers, and establishing mini cold storages to prevent seasonal price drops. Each beneficiary under the food distribution program received 30 kilograms of rice.

Railway authorities have started recovering nine coaches of the Nilshagar Express that derailed in Adamdighi, Bogura, on Wednesday afternoon. A rescue train from Ishwardi, Pabna, arrived at the site around 6:45 p.m. and began operations, confirmed Santahar Railway Station Master Khadija Khatun. Another rescue train from Parbatipur, Dinajpur, is also on its way to assist in restoring rail communication as quickly as possible.

The derailment occurred around 2:15 p.m., injuring many passengers, including those who were on the train’s roof and jumped off during the accident. The incident disrupted rail communication between Dhaka and five northern districts—Nilphamari, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, and Joypurhat—as well as between Dinajpur and other northern regions. However, train movement on the Dhaka–Rangpur–Lalmonirhat line remains normal.

Local sources said rail track repair work was underway at the site, and a red flag had been placed, but the driver reportedly failed to notice it. No fatalities have been reported so far, and 47 injured passengers were taken to Naogaon General Hospital for treatment.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that global hunger could reach record levels in 2026 if the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues. The agency estimates that more than 45 million additional people could face severe food insecurity, adding to the current 318 million already struggling worldwide. Rising oil prices above 100 dollars per barrel and disruptions to shipping routes have intensified the crisis.

According to the WFP, the situation mirrors the global food shock seen during the 2022 Ukraine war. Even though the conflict is not directly affecting major food-producing regions, higher fuel costs are driving up transportation, fertilizer, and agricultural expenses, pushing food prices higher. A WFP official warned that those already vulnerable will suffer the most if humanitarian aid remains insufficient.

The near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz and increased risks in the Red Sea have disrupted maritime trade, further raising the prices of oil, fertilizer, and food. Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia are identified as the most at risk, with food insecurity projected to rise by up to 24 percent in some regions.

A fishing boat belonging to fisherman Bali Jolodas was stolen late Tuesday night from Bottoli Fish Wharf in Santoshpur Union of Sandwip upazila, Chattogram. The boat, worth about 360,000 taka, was his only means of livelihood. The theft has left him distraught as he struggles with loan repayments and family expenses. Local fishermen have expressed growing fear following the incident.

According to locals, Bali Jolodas had purchased the boat with his savings and borrowed funds, paying monthly installments of around 50,000 taka. He discovered the theft after returning from fishing during the night tide. Local fisherman Batul Jolodas said such thefts had never happened before, and now they must guard their boats at night. Union Parishad member Ashraf described Bali as a hardworking man who has been left destitute and said efforts are underway to assist him and recover the boat.

Sandwip Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zayed Noor stated that no written complaint had yet been received but assured that legal action and recovery efforts would begin once a complaint is filed.

Five additional fuel-laden ships anchored at Chattogram Port between Tuesday and Wednesday morning, despite the closure of the Hormuz Strait due to conflict in the Middle East. Three of the ships began unloading oil at the Dolphin Jetty, while two remained at the outer anchorage. Since the strait’s closure on March 3, a total of 23 fuel and gas vessels have arrived in 14 days, with 18 already unloaded and departed. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) confirmed more shipments are scheduled this month.

Naval and Coast Guard forces have increased security around tankers and depots, deploying patrols in the Karnaphuli River and nearby areas. The latest arrivals include one LNG carrier from Australia and two high-sulfur fuel oil tankers from Singapore. BPC officials said the government is securing new supply sources and has signed deals with Saudi Arabia for diesel and gasoline shipments expected by March 27.

According to BPC, current supply levels remain stable, and earlier fuel rationing at pumps has ended as demand and distribution normalized.

A global energy crisis has erupted as the war in the Middle East disrupts oil supplies, prompting Asian nations to rush for Russian crude. On March 13, the United States temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil and petroleum products for 30 days, allowing trade of previously stranded shipments. This move has triggered intense competition among countries such as India and China to secure Russian oil reserves.

India has doubled its Russian oil imports to 1.8 million barrels per day to safeguard energy security, though experts warn it cannot fully replace the 2.6 million barrels previously sourced from the Middle East. China’s state-owned firms, including Sinopec and PetroChina, have resumed talks with suppliers to restart purchases halted since November. Southeast Asian nations like the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia are also showing new interest in Russian oil despite earlier caution over U.S. sanctions.

Analysts caution that the U.S. waiver is temporary, leaving uncertainty about long-term supply stability. Experts note that while Russian oil may ease short-term shortages, it cannot fully offset the Middle Eastern deficit, suggesting continued competition in Asia’s energy markets.

The Bangladesh Passengers Welfare Association has alleged that fare irregularities during this year’s Eid travel season are set to break a 20-year record. In a statement sent to the media on Wednesday, the association’s secretary general Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury said that around 87 percent of buses and minibuses are charging extra fares, ignoring government directives. The report noted that fares on routes from Dhaka to various districts have risen sharply, with some routes charging more than double the usual rate.

The association’s survey estimated that long-distance travelers could be overcharged by about Tk 121.8 crore in total, while city bus passengers may pay an additional Tk 26.1 crore, bringing the total excess collection to nearly Tk 148 crore. It attributed the fare hikes to extortion, rising operational costs, Eid bonuses, and owners’ profit motives. The group also criticized the lack of passenger representation in monitoring teams.

To curb the situation, the association recommended introducing digital transactions in public transport, reducing cash payments, expanding CCTV surveillance, and enforcing transport laws more strictly.

Electricity supply in Sandwip, Chattogram, was restored on Wednesday afternoon after a 30-hour disruption caused by severe storms. Most areas of the island regained power, but the Sandwip Upazila Health Complex remained without electricity at the time of reporting, leaving patients in distress. Upazila Health Officer Manas Biswas said the hospital was in complete darkness, making it impossible to operate essential medical equipment.

Upazila Executive Engineer (Electricity) Tanvir Hossain attributed the hospital’s outage to internal wiring faults, noting that the main line outside was active. He explained that strong winds had broken tree branches onto power lines and damaged several transformers, but repair teams had restored the main grid connection. The prolonged blackout also affected the island’s economy, with small cold storage owners reporting spoilage of fish and perishable goods.

Local poultry farmers suffered losses as well, with high temperatures and lack of ventilation causing illness and deaths among chickens. Residents urged greater coordination among government departments to modernize Sandwip’s power system and ensure faster post-storm repairs.

Nine coaches of the Dhaka-bound Nilsagar Express train derailed on Wednesday afternoon, March 18, 2026, shortly after leaving Santahar Junction in Bogura. The incident occurred as the train was heading toward Chilahati, leaving more than fifty passengers injured. No fatalities have been reported so far, according to initial information from local authorities.

Following the derailment, rail communication between Dhaka and the northern destinations of Chilahati, Panchagarh, and Saidpur was suspended. Police officials stated that many passengers were traveling on the roof of the train, and several of them were injured after falling during the derailment. Rescue operations are underway to recover the derailed coaches.

Local police confirmed that the exact number of casualties remains uncertain, and further details will be provided after rescue and assessment work is completed.

At least seven people, including three children, were killed in a major fire that broke out on Wednesday morning in a residential building in the Palam area of southwest Delhi. According to the Delhi Fire Service, the blaze started around 7 a.m. in one of the rooms and quickly spread throughout the building.

Thirty fire service units rushed to the scene to bring the flames under control and rescue residents trapped inside. Officials said the dense population of the area made the rescue operation difficult. Local police and emergency response teams also joined the operation soon after the incident was reported.

During the rescue, seven bodies were recovered from the building, including those of three children. The fire caused extensive damage to the structure, destroying furniture and valuables inside, according to the Delhi Fire Service. The cause of the fire has not been detailed in the report.

Import and export operations at the Sonamasjid land port in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj will remain suspended for ten consecutive days during the Eid holidays. The suspension will be in effect from March 18 to March 27, 2026, as confirmed by Arif Uddin Iti, general secretary of the Sonamasjid Importers and Exporters Group. Normal operations are scheduled to resume on March 28.

According to Kamal Khan, operations manager of Panama Sonamasjid Port Link Limited, limited activities such as loading, unloading, and transportation of goods already present at the port will continue during the closure. Meanwhile, Jamirul Islam, in charge of the Sonamasjid Immigration Checkpost, stated that cross-border travel for passport holders between Bangladesh and India will proceed as usual throughout the holiday period.

The temporary suspension aims to accommodate the Eid holidays while maintaining essential port and immigration functions in a limited capacity.

Bangladesh Bank has cautioned that the country’s remittance inflows may decline if the ongoing US–Iran conflict in the Middle East becomes prolonged or expands geographically. Nearly half of Bangladesh’s total remittances currently come from Middle Eastern countries, and the central bank’s latest report notes that while the flow remains strong, its future stability depends on how long the regional tensions persist. A short-term conflict may have limited impact, but a sustained crisis could significantly reduce remittance earnings.

The report highlights that remittance inflows reached USD 8.67 billion in the October–December quarter, up 14.38 percent from the previous quarter and nearly 20 percent higher year-on-year. Saudi Arabia contributed the highest amount, followed by the UAE, the UK, Malaysia, and the US. During the same period, 293,474 workers went abroad, most of them to Saudi Arabia. From July to mid-March, total remittances stood at USD 24.65 billion, a 22.6 percent increase from the previous year.

Bangladesh Bank stated that if the current trend continues, the country’s foreign exchange reserves could strengthen further, though geopolitical uncertainty remains a key risk factor.

Police in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, arrested 14 people for organizing an iftar gathering on a boat in the middle of the Ganges River and allegedly throwing leftover food into the water. The arrests followed the circulation of a video on social media showing the event. Authorities said the accused were charged with hurting religious sentiments, polluting the environment, and disturbing public order.

The case was filed at the Kotwali police station based on a complaint from a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s youth wing. The complaint stated that the Ganges is sacred to followers of Sanatan Dharma and that discarding food into the river desecrated its sanctity. Assistant Commissioner of Police Vijay Pratap Singh said the video, which went viral on Instagram, led to the investigation and subsequent arrests.

Police sources confirmed that the authenticity of the video is being verified and efforts are underway to identify others involved. River patrol surveillance has been increased to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A severe storm that began late Monday night has disrupted the entire electricity transmission system in Sandwip, Chattogram, leaving the island without power for more than 24 hours. By Tuesday afternoon, electricity had been partially restored in parts of southern Sandwip, but large areas in the north, including Bauria, Gachhua, Kalapania, Santoshpur, and Dirghapara unions, remained without power. The outage has caused major disruptions to daily life and essential services.

Health facilities have been hit particularly hard. Upazila Health Officer Manas Biswas said that the prolonged power failure severely hampered normal healthcare operations, with patients suffering in the heat and medical equipment becoming difficult to operate. Local businesses also reported heavy losses, with cold storage owners fearing spoilage of perishable goods and shopkeepers struggling to attract customers in dark stores.

Residents expressed frustration over the lack of response from responsible officials. Calls to the local executive engineer went unanswered, leaving uncertainty about when power will be fully restored. Locals urged authorities to adopt modern systems to ensure faster power restoration after natural disasters.