A passenger train crashed into a freight train in Bhairab, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of the capital Dhaka, Reuters reported.
“Seventeen bodies have been recovered and many injured taken to hospital,” said Anowar Hossain, superintendent of Dhaka Railway Police, adding the death toll could climb as rescue operations were ongoing.
The freight train smashed into the passenger train from behind, crumpling two coaches, he said.
“Initial reports suggest the freight train broke the signal, leading to the tragedy,” Hossain said.
Authorities have launched a formal investigation.
“Many people got trapped inside after the collision. When it happened, most of the people died then,” Mohammad Masud, local fire service chief, told reporters.
Train accidents are not uncommon in Bangladesh, mostly attributed to unsupervised rail crossings, poor signaling and track conditions.