At least two people have died and two others rescued after a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River while attempting to board a ferry at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari on Wednesday afternoon.
The accident has sparked fears of multiple casualties, with rescue operations ongoing.
Md Maruf Hasan, the attending physician at Goalanda Upazila Health Complex, confirmed to TIME that two women, Rehana and Marzina, 56, died in the incident.
Two survivors have been rescued, including Nusrat, a doctor from Square Hospital, is receiving treatment at the health complex, and a local woman named Piuoli, who is being treated at a nearby residence.
The Rajbari District Administration control room also confirmed the official toll and reported that family members of three to four passengers affected by the accident are present at the site.
Anwarul Islam Dolon, an official from the Media Cell of the Fire Service Headquarters, said that the submerged bus has been traced underwater.
Diving units from the Goalanda and Aricha Fire Stations, along with three additional teams dispatched from Dhaka and Faridpur, are actively conducting rescue operations. Efforts are also underway to recover the bus with the assistance of BIWTA’s salvage vessel Hamza.
The operation has faced disruptions for nearly 40 minutes due to a severe thunderstorm, hail, and strong river currents, while crowds of bystanders have further complicated the rescue efforts. Ambulances from the Upazila Health Complex and the Fire Service have been stationed at the scene to provide emergency support.
Rescue operations were halted for nearly 40 minutes due to a severe thunderstorm and hail. The salvage vessel Hamza is facing difficulties navigating the strong river currents while attempting to carry out recovery work.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams from the Fire Service, police, and the army working at the scene, including three Fire Service units, he added.
Ambulances from the Upazila Health Complex and the Fire Service have been stationed at the scene to provide emergency support.
The accident occurred around 5:15 pm at Pontoon No. 3, when a bus belonging to ‘Showhardo Paribahan’ was boarding a ferry.
According to local sources, the bus was carrying between 50 and 55 passengers. Within minutes of the incident, five to seven passengers managed to swim ashore, but many others are feared to have gone under.
Earlier, Yahya Khan, an officer of the Gopalganj Fire Service and Civil Defence in Rajbari, told TIMES that the bus had sunk 70 to 80 feet below the ferry terminal, with divers continuing search and recovery operations at the site.
Eid celebration turns tragic for JU student
The joyous mood of Eid was abruptly shattered for Ryan, a student of the 49th batch of Economics at Jahangirnagar University (JU), when he, his mother, and younger sister became the victim in a devastating bus accident while returning home after the holiday.
Ryan and his sister were rescued alive, but tragically, his mother’s body was recovered at the scene. Ryan is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital for injuries sustained in the accident.
