International

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The accident in Padma River, at least 23 people have been confirmed dead after a passenger bus plunged into the river near the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari District on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said, as rescue teams continue operations and an official investigation has been launched into the cause of the disaster.)

The incident occurred as a crowded bus carrying passengers from Kushtia to Dhaka attempted to board a ferry at the Daulatdia ferry ghat, a key transit point across the Padma River. Eyewitnesses and officials said the bus lost control while moving onto the vessel, slipped off the pontoon, and plunged into the deep waters of the river, leaving many trapped inside the submerged vehicle. Several passengers managed to swim to shore amid chaotic scenes, but dozens were believed to be inside the bus when it sank. 

Local fire service and rescue teams worked through the night and into Thursday morning, lifting the bus from the water and recovering bodies. As of the latest reports, a total of 23 bodies have been retrieved, and authorities said 21 of the deceased have been formally identified and handed over to their families. Several passengers were also injured and transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, while some remain unaccounted for as search efforts continue. 

The catastrophe, local administration officials have formed a five-member inquiry committee to carry out a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The committee has been tasked with conducting an on-site probe and submitting a report within three days, officials said. The rapid formation of the panel underlines the urgency to understand whether human error, mechanical failure, or operational gaps at the ferry terminal contributed to the tragedy.

The devastating incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with riverine transport in Bangladesh, a country crisscrossed by waterways where ferries and river crossings are essential for daily travel but have long been associated with safety challenges. Government authorities and emergency services, including the Fire Service, civil defense, and police, were deployed to assist in the rescue and recovery operations, and local and national leaders have expressed condolences for the victims and their families. 

Residents near the Daulatdia ferry ghat described the scene as chaotic, with relatives of bus passengers rushing to the terminal in distress and emergency teams racing against time to locate survivors. The accident has sparked concern among safety experts and the public over enforcement of safety rules at ferry landings and the need for improved infrastructure and regulation to prevent similar tragedies in the future. 

As search efforts press on, the focus remains on accounting for all passengers, providing support to victims’ families, and determining the exact cause of the accident through the investigation panel’s findings.