Daulatdia bus plunge: 26 deceased identified

At least 26 bodies have so far been recovered following a bus plunge into the Padma River while boarding a ferry at Daulatdia in Rajbari district on Wednesday.

The district administration and police administration said that the identities of the deceased have been confirmed and the bodies have been handed over to their relatives from the morgue of Rajbari Sadar Hospital.

Three more injured in the incident are being treated at different hospitals.

The deceased are Rehena Akhter, 61; Marzina Khatun, 56; Rajib Biswas, 28; Zahura Anti, 27; Kazi Saif, 30; Marzina Akhter, 32; Israfil, 3; Safia Akhter Rinthi, 12; Faiz Shahanur, 11; Tajbid, 7; Arman Khan, 31; Najmira Jesmin, 30; Lima Akhter, 26; Jochna, 35; Mukta Khanam, 38; Nasima, 40; Ayesha Akhter Suma, 30; Soha Akhter, 11; Ayesha Siddika, 13; Arman, 7 months; Abdur Rahman, 6; Sabit Hasan, 8; Ahnaf Tahmid Khan, 25; Arman Khan, 31; Israfil, 3; and Ujjal Sheikh, 40.

Earlier, the accident occurred at 5:30 pm on Wednesday (March 25). The bus left Kumarkhali for Dhaka at 2:10 pm. Most of the passengers were returning to work after the Eid holidays.

Some passengers who survived the accident said that all the seats in the bus were full, including women and children. There were also additional passengers - 3 people were sitting on the engine cover, and a few others had children in their laps along with the driver and helper. Although 4-5 passengers got off before getting on the pontoon, the bus fell into the river.

Locals quickly started rescue work and 6-7 people were rescued alive and sent to the hospital. However, those concerned fear that some people may still be missing.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause and details of the incident.