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Published : 05 Jun 2026, 10:45 PM
State Minister for Shipping Md Razib Ahsan has said the decision to have passengers disembark before boarding the ferry helped prevent any fatalities after a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia ferry terminal.
He made the comments while speaking to journalists after visiting Daulatdia pontoon No. 7 in Rajbari on Friday.
During the inspection, he commended the preparedness and response efforts of the agencies involved at the terminal.
Razib said a major tragedy was avoided due to coordinated efforts, public awareness and prompt rescue operations.
He noted the swift response by the River Police, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Fire Service, district administration, and law enforcing agencies.
Razib also announced that the Ministry of Shipping has formed an investigation committee, led by Joint Secretary Rafiqul Karim and comprising representatives from BIWTA and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), to probe the bus sinking incident.
He said necessary measures would be taken after the committee determines the cause of the accident and submits its report.
Earlier, around 9:30am, a bus of SB Paribahan, travelling to Dhaka from Kushtia, veered out of control after boarding a ferry and rolled into the river from pontoon No.7.
Passengers said police instructed them to disembark before the bus boarded the pontoon. As a result, no passengers were injured.
The bus driver, his assistant, and the supervisor were later rescued from the river.
On Mar 25, a bus of Shouhardya Paribahan travelling from Kumarkhali in Kushtia to Dhaka fell into the Padma River while boarding the ferry from pontoon No. 3 of the ferry ghat. The bodies of 26 people were recovered after the accident.
