Daulatdia bus accident: Two bodies recovered

Two bodies have been recovered after a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River while boarding a ferry at Daulatdia Ghat in Goalanda upazila, Rajbari.

The accident occurred around 5:15 pm on Wednesday, March 25, in front of Daulatdia's No. 3 ferry ghat. The bus, carrying around 50 passengers, had set off from Rajbari for Dhaka.

The Fire Service said the passenger bus fell into the river while boarding the ferry. Diver teams immediately began rescue operations. Additionally, two more units from Dhaka and Faridpur have been dispatched to the scene.

Ghat supervisor Md Monir Hossain said a bus of 'Sauharda Paribahan' arrived at Daulatdia's No. 3 ghat shortly after 5:00 pm. As a ferry had just departed, the bus was waiting for the next one. Later, a small ferry named 'Hasna Hena' struck the pontoon with force, causing the bus to lose control and fall into the river.

He added that the bus was carrying at least 40 passengers, including women and children. While several passengers managed to swim to safety, it is feared that most remain trapped inside the bus.

Mohammad Salah Uddin, Assistant General Manager of BIWTC Daulatdia office, said concerned authorities had reached the spot and were preparing to intensify rescue operations.