Bangladesh Bus Tragedy: Death Toll Climbs to 23 After Bus Plunges Into Padma River; Rescue Ops On

At least 23 people lost their lives on Wednesday evening when a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River near the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari district, Bangladesh. The bus, carrying about 50 passengers from Rajbari to Dhaka, was attempting to board a transport ferry when it slipped off a pontoon and sank around 5:15 pm local time.

The accident occurred when the bus driver reportedly lost control after a smaller utility ferry struck the pontoon, sending the vehicle into the water within seconds.

Rescue operations began immediately, with teams from the fire service, navy, coastguard, and police rushing to the site. Inspector Russel Mollah told ANI that 23 bodies had been recovered, while several passengers remained missing.

Darkness slowed the search, but divers continued working through the night. Witnesses said about 11 passengers managed to swim ashore or were rescued, while most others were trapped inside the bus as it submerged. The rescue ship Hamza eventually pulled the bus out of the river nearly six hours later.

Scenes along the riverbank were marked by grief and desperation. Tearful relatives gathered at the site, clinging to hope as rescue teams scoured the waters. Doctors at Daulatdia health complex reported that two women were brought dead, while another woman, herself a doctor, was treated for injuries.

Many of the passengers were returning to Dhaka after celebrating Eid holidays, and officials noted that several families were traveling together. Survivors recounted how some family members standing outside the bus survived, while their relatives inside were unable to escape.
Terminal supervisor Monir Hossain described the moment of tragedy: "Right before our eyes, the bus fell into the river, but we could do nothing."

His account echoed the helplessness felt by witnesses who watched the vehicle vanish beneath the water. Officials said the accident highlighted longstanding safety concerns at ferry terminals, where heavy traffic and inadequate infrastructure often create dangerous conditions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman contacted district authorities for updates and ordered a full investigation into the incident. Local administration officials confirmed that the government had directed a salvage campaign and pledged to examine the circumstances that led to the crash.

Fire service official Sohel Rana told reporters that divers, assisted by military and police personnel, would continue searching until all missing passengers were accounted for.
With inputs from agencies