A chilling scene unfolded on Wednesday afternoon at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari, as a bus carrying around 40 passengers plunged into the mighty Padma River while trying to board a ferry.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and sparked fears of multiple casualties.
The accident occurred at approximately 5:15 pm at Pontoon 3, when a bus belonging to Souhardya Paribahan lost control during the boarding process.
Eyewitnesses said that, losing control, the bus rolled straight off the pontoon and plunged into the river, sending screams echoing across the terminal.
Locals rushed to the riverbank, diving in to save anyone they could reach. Some passengers were rescued, but many remain unaccounted for, their fate uncertain as the strong current carried the bus further into the river.
The Fire Service and police quickly arrived on the scene, launching desperate rescue operations. The salvage vessel Hamza joined the effort, along with a diving team from the fire service, navigating the turbulent waters in a race against time.
BIWTC Daulatdia Ghat Manager Mohammad Salahuddin confirmed the terrifying incident, stating that the bus had indeed fallen into the river.
Md Monir Hossain, a supervisor for the transport company, told reporters that the bus arrived at Daulatdia terminal’s Pontoon 3 around 5:00pm, just as a ferry was departing for Paturia. While the bus waited for the next vessel, a utility ferry named ‘Hasna Hena’ struck the pontoon at approximately 5:15pm.
The force of the impact sent the bus rolling into the Padma River, claimed Monir.
He said at least 40 passengers, including women and children, were on board. While some managed to escape the vehicle, most remain trapped inside.
The chaotic scene left families waiting in anguish, hoping for news of their loved ones.
The Padma River, known for its strength and unpredictable currents, has claimed lives in similar tragedies before, making this accident particularly perilous. Authorities are continuing rescue efforts into the evening, but the number of casualties remains unclear.
Residents described the moment as horrifying. “I saw the bus plunge into the river… there were screams… it was terrifying,” said one local eyewitness. “We tried to pull people out, but the river is so strong. I fear for those still trapped inside.”
This tragic accident comes as a stark reminder of the risks faced by passengers at busy ferry terminals across Bangladesh, where overloaded vehicles and rushing schedules can turn routine journeys into disasters.
As rescue teams continue their operation, the nation watches anxiously, hoping for survivors amid the heartbreak and chaos on the Padma.