Bus sinks in Daulatdia: Relatives mourn, many passengers missing

The surrounding environment has become heavy with the cries of relatives after a passenger bus sank in the Padma River at Daulatdia Ferry Terminal No. 3 in Rajbari. The accident that occurred on Wednesday (March 25) afternoon has cast a shadow of grief over the entire area.

There were about 56 passengers on the 'Souhardyo Paribahan' bus that left from Kushtia. Seven passengers were able to swim to the shore after the accident, but the rest are still missing. So far, the bodies of four have been recovered.

Passenger Abdul Azizul is distraught after losing his missing wife and child. He said that he wanted to return to Dhaka alone as he was supposed to join his workplace on March 29. But his wife decided to come with her husband. His wife said, ‘I don’t like it when I don’t see you, I feel restless.’ That love has become a source of pain for him today.

During the accident, the bus lost control while boarding the ferry and sank in the deep waters of the Padma. Abdul Azizul was able to swim back to shore, but his wife and child Abdullah are missing. Broken down in grief, he was lamenting, ‘How many times have I told them to stay home, but my wife didn’t listen. Now how can they leave me alone? What will I do now?’

According to eyewitnesses and surviving passengers, the driver lost control while boarding the bus from pontoon number 3 at around 5:15 pm. The bus fell into the river and sank in an instant.

Since the incident, relatives of the missing passengers have been gathering on the riverbank. Their cries have left the entire area in mourning.

Rajbari Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Dewan Sohel Rana said that special diving teams have reached the accident site from Paturia and Aricha Ghat. Considering the seriousness of the situation, additional diving teams have also been sent from Dhaka headquarters. Efforts are underway to identify and rescue the bus with the help of the rescue ship 'Hamza'. However, the rescue operation is being hampered due to darkness and strong currents of the Padma.