DHAKA — At least 24 people lost their lives after a passenger bus carrying around 40 passengers plunged into the Padma River while attempting to board a ferry in Bangladesh, officials confirmed on Thursday.
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The tragic accident occurred on Wednesday near Daulatdia in the Rajbari district, approximately 100 km (62 miles) from the capital, Dhaka. According to local police, the Fire Service, and Civil Defence, the bus lost control while approaching the ferry, overturned, and sank nearly 30 feet into the river.
A commercial bus carrying more than 40 passengers has fallen into Padma river located in the Rajbari district in Bangladesh.
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Fire Service official Talha Bin Zasim said rescuers recovered 22 bodies from inside the submerged vehicle, including six men, 11 women, and five children. Two women who were rescued later succumbed to their injuries, bringing the confirmed death toll to 24.
Search and rescue operations involved four fire service units and 10 divers, with additional support from the army, police, coast guard, and local authorities. Officials warned that more passengers might still be missing and the recovery efforts were ongoing.
Bangladesh has a long-standing issue with road and ferry safety, and hundreds of people die each year in similar accidents. Overcrowded vehicles, poorly maintained ferries, and inadequate safety measures contribute to the high number of fatalities.
Authorities have urged passengers to exercise caution near ferry terminals and follow safety protocols. The government and local administration are investigating the incident to determine the cause and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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The accident has once again highlighted the urgent need for stricter safety regulations and better coordination between road and ferry transport authorities in Bangladesh, particularly in high-traffic river crossings such as Daulatdia.