At least 18 bodies have been recovered after a passenger bus carrying dozens plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia Ghat in Goalonda Upazila, transforming what began as an afternoon accident into a night of growing tragedy, marked by fear, uncertainty, and rising grief.
More than a dozen people remain unaccounted for, with rescuers fearing that some may still be trapped or have been swept away by the river’s powerful currents, as teams continue a difficult and time-critical search.
Earlier in the evening, authorities had confirmed two deaths and several injuries.
But as rescue operations intensified through the night, the scale of the disaster became devastatingly clear.
Officials from Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence said the recovered victims include three children, four men, and 11 women — underscoring the indiscriminate toll of the incident.
The bus, operated by Showhardo Paribahan, was carrying around 50 passengers despite having only 40 seats. It was attempting to board a ferry at pontoon number three when it reportedly suffered brake failure. Witness videos show the vehicle sliding uncontrollably before plunging into the river.
In the immediate aftermath, five to seven passengers managed to escape by climbing out and swimming to safety. For many others, however, there has been no sign of survival.
Emergency crews from the Fire Service and local police were first to respond, launching rescue operations at the scene. Bangl
adesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) deployed its rescue vessel Hamza, supported by a diving team. Additional support came from Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation, River Police, Army, local administration, and local divers.
Despite the scale of the response, the operation has been slow and extremely challenging.
The bus sank 70 to 80 feet below the surface, making it difficult for divers to access. Strong currents, darkness, and limited visibility have all hampered rescue efforts.
Senior Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Md Hafizur Rahman, who is overseeing the operation, said the bus was eventually located and raised using hooks attached underwater — a process that took hours of careful coordination.
Yet even after the vehicle was recovered, uncertainty persisted.
Deputy Assistant Director Dewan Sohel Rana told TIMES at 1:20am on Thursday said initial checks found no additional bodies inside the bus, but a final search would be conducted to ensure no one remains trapped. He warned that some victims could still be lodged in hidden sections of the vehicle and may only be discovered after a more thorough inspection.
He also expressed concern that several bodies may have been swept away by the river’s strong current — particularly due to the way the bus was lifted in a tilted position — raising fears that some victims may never be recovered.
The exact number of passengers on board remains unclear, adding to the anguish. The bus had left Kumarkhali in Kushtia at 2:20pm with only a few passengers, picking up more along the route. Some reportedly got off while boarding the ferry, leaving authorities unable to determine how many were inside at the moment of the accident.
An eyewitness, ghat supervisor Md Monir Hossain, said the accident occurred around 5:00pm when a utility ferry, “Hasna Hena”, struck the pontoon forcefully, causing the driver to lose control just as the bus was boarding.
Rescue efforts were further disrupted when a severe storm swept across the river, forcing operations to halt for nearly 40 minutes. Even after resuming, teams struggled against relentless currents and difficult conditions.
As the night deepened, the riverbank became a place of waiting and anguish. Families stood in silence, watching rescue teams pull bodies from the recovered bus — each recovery bringing either closure or renewed despair.
With more than a dozen still missing, the tragedy continues to unfold, and fears remain that the final death toll could rise even further.
