Bangladesh bus crashes into river with dozens feared dead | World | News
Rescuers recovered 16 bodies from the bus that plunged into the Padma river (Image: Suzit Kumar Das)
Dozens are people are feared dead after a packed bus plunged 30ft into the Padma river in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila in Bangladesh. Rescuers have so far recovered 18 bodies, according to Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star.
Deputy Assistant Director Dewan Sohel Rana said two bodies were initially retrieved before a further 16 were recovered when rescue vessel Hamza lifted the submerged bus from the riverbed. The Fire Service and Civil Defence media wing said the victims included four men, 10 women and two children. Resident Medical Officer at Daulatdia Upazila Health Complex, Dr Md Shariful Islam, identified two of the deceased as Marjina Begum, 55, and Rehena Begum, 60. Police said at least 11 passengers managed to swim to safety, while one woman – a doctor at a private hospital in Dhaka – received medical treatment. Rescue operations remain ongoing in extremely challenging conditions.
Rescuers recovered 18 bodies from the bus that plunged into the Padma river (Image: Daily Star)
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Officials believe there were around 40 passengers on board at the time of the incident. Dewan Sohel Rana told The Daily Star that rescuers were given the figure by a survivor.
Transport supervisor Md Monir Hossain said the Dhaka-bound bus arrived at pontoon number three at Daulatdia ferry ghat shortly after 5pm local time as a vehicle ferry was departing for Paturia in Manikganj. Unable to board, the bus waited for the next crossing.
At around 5.15pm, a small utility ferry named Hasna Hena struck the pontoon with force, causing the bus to lose control and plunge into the river.
Speaking to The Daily Star, Mr Hossain said: “Right before our eyes, the bus fell into the river, but we could do nothing.” He added that while some passengers swam ashore, many remained trapped inside the vehicle.
Local residents rushed to the ghat to assist rescue efforts alongside divers from the nearby Paturia and Aricha ferry terminals. Senior officials – including the district commissioner, superintendent of police and the Goalanda upazila executive officer – are at the scene.
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Fire Service’s Faridpur Assistant Director Belal Uddin estimated the bus plunged evern further, roughly 70–80 feet into the river.
He said: “We are trying to lift the bus using the vessel Hamza, but heavy rain, lightning and turbulent waves are slowing the operation. We hope to recover it fully soon.”
Recovered victims have been taken to Goalanda Upazila Health Complex, Rajbari Civil Surgeon SM Masud said.
Videos circulating online appear to show the bus on the pontoon moments before the crash, with bystanders later seen rushing towards the river as it sank.
According to BDNews, some passengers surfaced and clung to ropes and lifebuoys thrown from the pontoon and ferry.
Eyewitness Hiru Bappi told the Dhaka Tribune: “I was standing on the pontoon filming when I suddenly heard people shouting. As I looked up, I saw the bus leave the pontoon and plunge rapidly into the water.”
Efforts to locate other victims are ongoing.
