A woman’s body has been recovered after a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari on Wednesday afternoon, prompting fears of heavy casualties.
The identity of the deceased could not be immediately confirmed.
The accident occurred around 5:15pm at the No. 3 ferry ghat in Daulatdia when a bus belonging to Souharda Paribahan lost control and fell into the river following a collision involving a small utility ferry.
According to officials, a ferry named Hasnahena struck the pontoon with force while approaching the terminal. The impact caused the waiting bus to lose balance and plunge into the river.
Local residents managed to rescue a few passengers shortly after the incident, but many are feared trapped inside the submerged vehicle.
Faridpur Fire Service Commander Md Belal Uddin confirmed that rescue operations are ongoing. “Two divers, two assistant divers, and a five-member rescue team are working at the scene,” he said. “As of 7:30pm, one woman’s body has been recovered and sent to the hospital.”
He added that initial estimates suggest around 40 passengers, including women and children, were on board at the time of the, raising concerns that many may still be underwater.
Monir Hossain, the transport supervisor at Daulatdia ferry ghat, said the bus had arrived at the terminal around 5:00pm and was waiting for a ferry after narrowly missing an earlier one bound for Paturia in Manikganj.
Rescue efforts were continuing into the evening as authorities raced against time to locate survivors and recover bodies.
