A major rescue operation continues in central Bangladesh today after a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River on Wednesday afternoon.
The incident occurred at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari district as the vehicle attempted to board a transport ferry.
Authorities have confirmed that at least 24 people died in the accident, including eleven women and five children.
Emergency responders, including divers from the Fire Service and Civil Defence, worked through the night to recover bodies from the submerged vehicle.
The bus was traveling from the southwestern district of Kushtia toward the capital city of Dhaka when the driver reportedly lost control on the ramp.
Witnesses at the scene described a chaotic moment where a smaller utility ferry reportedly struck the pontoon, causing the bus to slide into the water.
Footage of the accident, which has since gone viral on social media via ARY News, shows the moment the bus toppled over the edge and vanished beneath the surface.
Onlookers and terminal workers can be seen in the video desperately attempting to assist survivors who managed to swim out of the sinking vehicle.
Officials estimate that between 40 and 50 passengers were onboard at the time of the plunge, many of whom were returning to work following the Eid al-Fitr festival.
By early Thursday morning, a salvage vessel equipped with a crane successfully lifted the bus from a depth of nearly 30 feet.
Local police inspector Russel Mollah stated that while some passengers reached the shore safely, others remained trapped inside the bus as it sank.
Rescue efforts now involve the combined support of the army, navy, and coast guard to locate any individuals who may still be missing in the strong river currents.
This tragedy underscores persistent concerns regarding transport safety and terminal infrastructure within the country’s extensive river networks.
Government officials have expressed condolences to the families of the victims as the community gathers at Rajbari Government Hospital for identification.