The tragedy occurred Wednesday near Daulatdia in Rajbari district, about 84 kilometres from Dhaka, when a bus carrying 40 passengers lost control while approaching a ferry terminal.
A tragic bus accident in central Bangladesh has claimed at least 26 lives after the vehicle plunged into the Padma River, raising renewed concerns over the country’s road and waterway safety.
The incident occurred Wednesday near Daulatdia in Rajbari district, about 84 kilometres from Dhaka, when a bus carrying 40 passengers lost control while approaching a ferry terminal.
Fire service officials recovered 22 bodies from the submerged bus, including five children, 11 women, and six men, according to Talha Bin Qasim. Two more women later died after being rescued.
The overturned bus sank nearly nine metres into the river, creating a challenging environment for rescue teams.
“The bus was waiting to board a ferry when it fell into the river,” said Noor Jahan Begum, 35, who witnessed the accident. “Some passengers got out of the bus, but their family members died, trapped inside.”
Bystanders joined rescue efforts, throwing long scarves to pull passengers from the water as survivors swam to safety. Four fire service units and 10 divers led the operations, supported by the army, police, coastguard, and local authorities. Officials said some passengers may still be missing.
Road and ferry accidents remain a frequent cause of fatalities in Bangladesh, with poorly maintained vehicles, unsafe roads, and reckless driving contributing to hundreds of deaths each year. During the recent Eid holidays, the Bangladesh Road Safety Foundation reported over 200 fatalities, including a separate incident where a train collided with a bus, killing 12.
This latest disaster underscores the urgent need for improved transport safety measures, as families and communities continue to grapple with the devastating human cost of such accidents.