Bangladesh Ferry Tragedy: Bus falls into Padma River, 24 dead

At least 24 people were killed and several others remain missing after a passenger bus plunged into a river in Rajbari District in southwestern Bangladesh on Wednesday evening, officials said.

The accident occurred at the busy Dauladia Ferry Terminal at around 5:15 pm , when the bus, reportedly heading towards Dhaka , fell into the Padma River while attempting to board a transport ferry.

Authorities said the bus was carrying around 40 passengers , including several children, many of whom were returning to the capital after their Eid holidays . According to fire service officials, 24 bodies have been recovered so far , with 22 victims found inside the submerged bus . The deceased include 11 women, six men, and five children .

Rescue operations continued late into the night under challenging weather conditions. A salvage vessel successfully retrieved the bus from the river nearly six hours after the incident , with divers discovering additional bodies during the recovery process.

Officials said a small number of passengers, estimated at around 11 , managed to swim to safety or were rescued shortly after the accident. However, several others are still unaccounted for, prompting an ongoing search operation involving fire service personnel, coastguard divers, police, and military teams .

Preliminary reports suggest the accident was triggered when a smaller utility ferry collided with the pontoon , causing the bus driver to lose control as the vehicle approached the ferry ramp. Eyewitnesses described the incident as sudden and devastating, saying the bus plunged into the river within moments , leaving little time for intervention.

Local health officials confirmed that some victims were brought to nearby medical facilities, while survivors received treatment for injuries. Authorities noted that many passengers were members of the same family , amplifying the tragedy as relatives watched helplessly.

The government has ordered an investigation into the incident, as rescue teams continue efforts to locate the missing and determine the exact cause of the disaster.