At least 24 people were killed and several remain missing after a bus plunged into the Padma River in Bangladesh while attempting to board a transport ferry, officials said.
The accident occurred at the Dauladia terminal in Rajbari district at about 5:15 pm on Wednesday. Officials estimate the Dhaka-bound bus was carrying around 40 passengers, including several children, many returning to the capital after Eid holidays.
Fire service officials said 24 bodies have been recovered. Twenty-two bodies were recovered from inside the bus: 11 women, six men and five children. Fire service official Sohel Rana said the salvage vessel Hamza retrieved the bus with its cranes. Divers had earlier recovered two women in their late 50s or early 60s and found the rest as the bus was salvaged around midnight after six hours of efforts amid rough weather.
Fire service and coastguard divers, assisted by military and police, continued searching for missing people. Rajbari district administration officials said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called for updates on the salvage campaign and ordered an investigation.
Police and witnesses said about 11 passengers managed to swim ashore or were rescued, while most others remained missing. Terminal supervisor Monir Hossain said a smaller utility ferry hit the pontoon as the bus was heading toward the ferry from the pontoon, causing the bus driver to lose control and the vehicle to plunge into the river. “Right before our eyes, the bus fell into the river, but we could do nothing,” he said.
Doctors at Dauladia Health Complex said two women were brought dead and another woman, herself a doctor, received treatment. Witnesses and officials said many passengers were from the same family; some survived standing outside while their relatives were on the bus as it sank.
