Passenger Bus Falls into Padma River at Daulatdia Ferry Terminal in Bangladesh A passenger bus carrying approximately 40 to 50 people plunged into the Padma River at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari, Bangladesh, late in the evening, sparking a large-scale rescue operation. The incident occurred around 5:15 pm at Daulatdia Ghat No. 3, when the Dhaka-bound bus lost control while attempting to board a ferry and fell from a pontoon into the river. Officials reported that the vehicle sank to a depth of nearly 30 feet. According to local authorities, the bus had been waiting to board a ferry when a smaller ferry reportedly struck the pontoon, causing the vehicle to plunge into the water. Some passengers managed to swim ashore immediately after the accident, but many are believed to be trapped inside the submerged bus. Rescue efforts were launched promptly, with divers from the Fire Service and Civil Defence, river police, and ferry authorities rushing to the scene. A rescue vessel has also been deployed, and additional diving teams from Dhaka and nearby areas are being sent to assist. Officials confirmed that the submerged bus has been located underwater. So far, only a few passengers have been rescued alive, while the fate of the remaining occupants remains uncertain. Authorities stated that it is too early to confirm the number of casualties, but fears are growing as rescue teams continue their search in challenging conditions. The incident has raised fresh concerns over safety measures at ferry terminals, particularly at the busy Daulatdia-Paturia river crossing, one of the country’s key transport routes.#padma_river #rajbari #daulatdia_ferry_terminal #dhaka_bound_bus #dhaulatdia_ghat_no_3
Bus Plunges into Padma River: 18 Bodies Recovered So Far A bus carrying at least 40 passengers lost control and fell into the Padma River in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in multiple fatalities. Rescue teams have recovered 18 bodies so far, with efforts ongoing under challenging conditions. The incident occurred when the bus, which had arrived at a ferry ghat shortly after 5:00pm, was unable to board a departing ferry for Paturia in Manikganj. According to Rajbari Fire Service and Civil Defence officials, two bodies were initially recovered from the river. Later, a rescue vessel named Hamza lifted the submerged bus at 11:50pm, during which 16 additional bodies were retrieved. Among the deceased were four men, ten women, and two children. Two identified victims were Rehena Begum, 60, and Marjina Begum, 55, confirmed by the Daulatdia Upazila Health Complex. Eleven passengers managed to swim to safety, though many remained trapped inside the bus. A doctor at the Daulatdia Upazila Health Complex reported that two women were found dead, while another woman, a physician at a private hospital in Dhaka, received treatment. Rescue operations continue as divers from Paturia and Aricha ghats, along with police, army, naval police, and fire service personnel, work to locate remaining survivors. The accident occurred when a small utility ferry named Hasna Hena struck the pontoon with force, causing the bus to lose control. Md Monir Hossain, a transport supervisor at the Daulatdia ferry ghat, stated that the bus had waited for another ferry after the initial departure. “Right before our eyes, the bus fell into the river, but we could do nothing,” Monir said, describing the moment the vehicle plunged into the water. Local residents gathered at the ghat to assist in initial rescue efforts.#padma_river #rajbari #goalanda_upazila #daulatdia_upazila #hasna_hena
