Bus plunges into the Padma River while boarding a ferry; casualties feared

A passenger bus carrying at least 40 people plunged into the Padma River while waiting to board a ferry at Daulatdia Ghat in Rajbari on Wednesday afternoon, sparking fears of multiple casualties.

The incident occurred at Pontoon-3 around 5:15pm.

Witnesses said five to seven passengers from the Dhaka-bound bus, “Showhardo,” managed to swim to safety, while many others remain missing.

Md Monir Hossain, the transport supervisor at Daulatdia Ghat, said the bus arrived at the pontoon shortly after 5pm, just after a ferry had departed for Paturia in Manikganj, forcing it to wait for the next vessel.

At around 5:15pm, another ferry, “Hasna Hena,” reportedly struck the pontoon with force, causing the bus to fall into the river.

“We were helpless as the bus went into the river before our eyes,” Monir said, adding that several passengers escaped, but many were believed to be trapped inside.

Fire Service and Civil Defence officials said divers from Goalanda and Aricha stations were conducting rescue operations, with additional teams from Dhaka and Faridpur en route.

Efforts are also underway to recover the bus with support from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority’s rescue vessel, Hamza.