Bangladesh Bus Falls Into River, 16 Dead, Many Missing

At least 16 people have lost their lives and several others remain missing after a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River in Rajbari, Bangladesh, officials confirmed. The tragic accident occurred on Wednesday evening at the Dauladia ferry terminal.

According to authorities, the Dhaka-bound bus was attempting to board a ferry when it lost control and fell into the river at around 5:15 PM. The bus was carrying approximately 40 passengers, including several children, many of whom were returning to Dhaka after celebrating Eid holidays.

Rescue operations began immediately after the incident. A salvage vessel named “Hamza” was deployed to recover the submerged vehicle. After nearly six hours of challenging efforts in rough weather, the bus was retrieved around midnight. Officials reported that 14 bodies were found inside the bus, while two more bodies had been recovered earlier by divers.

Emergency teams, including fire service personnel, coast guard divers, military units, and police, continue to search the river for missing passengers. Authorities estimate that several individuals are still unaccounted for.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the accident may have been triggered when a smaller utility ferry collided with the pontoon, causing the bus driver to lose control while approaching the main ferry. Witnesses described the incident as sudden and devastating, with little time for passengers to react.

Some passengers managed to escape, with around 11 people reportedly swimming to safety or being rescued shortly after the bus fell into the river. However, many others were trapped inside as the vehicle sank rapidly.

Local health officials confirmed that two women were brought dead to a nearby health facility, while another injured passenger received medical treatment. Eyewitness accounts indicate that several victims belonged to the same family, intensifying the tragedy.

Authorities have launched an official investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause and prevent similar accidents in the future. Rescue operations are ongoing as teams work tirelessly to locate the remaining missing passengers.