Bus submerged 30 feet deep, rescue efforts hampered by storm

The passenger bus that plunged into the Padma River while boarding a ferry at Daulatdia's No. 3 ghat in Goalanda upazila, Rajbari, has sunk to a depth of approximately 30 feet, the Fire Service has said. Efforts are underway to pull the bus out, but it has not yet been sighted. Meanwhile, rescue operations have been somewhat hampered by stormy weather.

The accident occurred around 5:30 pm on Wednesday, March 25. The bus was reported to be carrying 43 passengers. Diver teams from the Fire Service began rescue operations shortly after it fell into the river.

Inspector Md Anwarul Islam of the Fire Service's media cell said around 7:10 pm that the bus was located about 30 feet underwater. Five to seven passengers managed to get out of the bus in some way after the accident.

He added that the Fire Service received the distress call at 5:20 pm, and within six minutes, a diver team from Goalanda reached the scene. Another team later joined from Aricha Ghat. Currently, around 15 to 20 divers from two units are engaged in rescue efforts. Two more diver units from Siddikbazar in the capital have also been dispatched to the site.

According to local sources, the bus belonged to Sauharda Paribahan and had set off from Kumarkhali in Kushtia. Siraj Ahmed, manager of the Rajbari counter, said the mobile phones of the bus driver and helper were switched off.

Seven rescued individuals have so far been admitted to Goalanda Upazila Health Complex. Two bodies have been recovered. However, many passengers still remain missing, locals said.

The rescue vessel Hamza has joined the operation. Additionally, the Fire Service, water transport authorities, naval police, army and local administration are conducting joint rescue operations.

According to Daulatdia Ghat sources, the depth of the river at the spot where the bus sank has made rescue efforts complex. The sunken bus has not yet been fully recovered, but rescue operations continue.