Tragedy Strikes as Bus Plunges into Padma River
In a devastating incident in central Bangladesh, at least 16 people have lost their lives after a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila on Wednesday afternoon. The bus, carrying around 40 passengers, was waiting to board a ferry when it was struck by a small utility ferry, leading to the tragic accident. While 11 individuals managed to swim to safety, several others remain unaccounted for, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation.
Details of the Incident
The accident occurred near a busy ferry terminal shortly after 5:00 PM local time. The bus, operated by Showhardo Poribohon, had just missed its scheduled ferry to Paturia and was waiting for the next one when the collision happened. Witnesses reported that the impact from the utility ferry, named Hasna Hena, was sudden and forceful, causing the bus to plunge into the river without warning.
Emergency services quickly mobilized to the scene, launching an extensive search and rescue operation. Divers were deployed to locate passengers who may have been trapped inside the submerged vehicle. Medical authorities confirmed that several victims were transported to nearby health facilities for treatment, including a woman doctor from Dhaka who managed to escape the sinking bus.
As the rescue efforts continued, officials expressed concern that the number of casualties could rise, given that around 40 people were on board at the time of the accident. Specialized diving teams from the capital, Dhaka, were dispatched to assist in the search, and a rescue vessel was also brought to the site. Authorities later recovered the bus from the river late Wednesday night, but the search for missing passengers remains ongoing.
Ongoing Search and Rescue Efforts
The coordinated rescue operation involved multiple agencies, including police, army, naval police, and fire service personnel. As the search continues, rescuers are focused on locating those still unaccounted for in the river and inside the bus. The tragic event has left the local community in shock, with many expressing their grief over the loss of life.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the missing passengers to come forward as they work tirelessly to provide closure to the families affected by this tragedy. The incident highlights the need for improved safety measures at ferry terminals to prevent such accidents in the future.
