Private news agency UNB quoted witnesses as saying at least 21 people died in the accident including 19 who were killed on the spot and two wounded people died in hospital.

The news agency said hundreds people were injured and the death toll may rise.

A four member committee was formed to investigate the accident to determined if it was a sabotage, said Bangladesh Railway Director General TA Chowdhury

Wounded people rescued from the damaged compartments were being rushed to the hospitals.