Bus carrying 50 passengers plunges into Padma River at Daulatdia, casualties feared

A Showhardo Transport bus suddenly loses control while on the ferry pontoon

A bus carrying more than 50 passengers has lost control and plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia Ferry Terminal in Rajbari, raising “fears of casualties”.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) officials said the Showhardo Transport bus went under around 5:15pm while awaiting ferry boarding.

“We are heading to the accident site,” said Mohammad Robiul Alam, executive engineer of BIWTC’s Aricha office.

“We understand the bus, bound for Dhaka, had over 50 passengers. There is a risk of casualties. We will provide details later.”

The Fire Service and Civil Defence said a diving team had begun operations.

Additional divers are being dispatched from Dhaka headquarters.

Several videos of the incident have circulated on social media.

A clip shows the bus on the pontoon waiting to board the ferry when it suddenly slips into the river.

Another video shows bystanders and ferry passengers rushing to help, throwing ropes and life buoys to those floating to safety.

The Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters reported that the Showhardo Transport bus lost control and sank approximately 30 feet into the river.

A unit from the Gopalganj Fire Station and a diving team from Aricha are conducting recovery operations, while two additional diver units are on their way from Dhaka and Faridpur to assist.

According to locals and survivors, five to seven passengers managed to escape from the bus immediately after the incident.

The Fire Service confirmed that the bus has been located underwater, and efforts are under way to lift it with the assistance of the BIWTA salvage vessel “Hamza”.