Daulatdia bus sinking: Death toll rises to 26

The death toll from the passenger bus that plunged into the Padma River after losing control at Daulatdia Ferry Ghat in Rajbari has risen to 26.

Among the deceased are 11 women, 8 children and 7 men, said Additional Superintendent of Police Tapas Kumar Pal. He informed that 23 of the 26 bodies recovered have been handed over to their families.

Meanwhile, the Rajbari district administration has formed a five-member high-level investigation committee into the bus sinking incident. The committee has been asked to submit its investigation report to the Deputy Commissioner within three working days. The district administration will provide Tk 25,000 as initial assistance to each bereaved family.

The Sauharda Paribahan passenger bus, bound for Dhaka, lost control and fell from the pontoon into the Padma River at Daulatdia's No. 3 ghat around 5:15 pm on Wednesday, March 25. The bus had set off from Kumarkhali in Kushtia for Dhaka. Passengers and the counter master said the bus was carrying around 45 people.