Not less than 24 killed as bus plunges into Padma river in Bangladesh; search on for lacking

Not less than 24 individuals have been killed and a number of other others stay lacking after a bus plunged right into a river in Bangladesh whereas making an attempt to board a transport ferry, officers stated on Thursday (March 26, 2026).

The accident occurred within the southwestern district of Rajbari on the Dauladia terminal when the bus fell into the Padma River at about 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday (March 25, 2026), they stated.

They estimate that the Dhaka-bound bus was carrying round 40 passengers, together with a number of youngsters, most of whom have been returning to the capital after their Id holidays. In response to native hearth service officers, 24 our bodies have been recovered.

Twenty-two our bodies have been recovered from contained in the bus, together with 11 girls, six males and 5 youngsters.

“(Salvage vessel) Hamza retrieved the bus with its cranes,” hearth service official Sohel Rana advised reporters on the scene.

He added that the divers earlier recovered our bodies of two girls of their late 50s or early 60s and located the others because the bus was salvaged at round Wednesday midnight after six hours of efforts amid tough climate.

Fireplace service and coastguard divers continued their seek for the lacking individuals with navy and police help, in keeping with Rana.

In response to Rajbari district administration officers, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman known as them for updates on the salvage marketing campaign and ordered an investigation into the accident.

Police and witnesses earlier stated about 11 passengers managed to swim ashore or have been rescued, however most others remained lacking.

“When the bus was heading in direction of the ferry from the pontoon, one other smaller utility ferry hit the pontoon. It plunged into the river because the bus driver misplaced management of the steering,” the terminal’s supervisor Monir Hossain stated.

“Proper earlier than our eyes, the bus fell into the river, however we might do nothing,” he added.

Medical doctors at Dauladia Well being Complicated stated two girls have been introduced lifeless whereas one other lady, herself a health care provider, obtained therapy.

In response to witnesses and officers, most of the passengers have been members of the identical household. Whereas a number of of them survived as they stood outdoors, their family members have been on the bus because it drowned.