Rescuers recovered at least 18 bodies from the bus that plunged into the Padma river in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila on Wednesday afternoon, said Rajbari Fire Service and Civil Defence officials.
Deputy Assistant Director Dewan Sohel Rana said two bodies were initially recovered. Later, the rescue vessel Hamza lifted the submerged bus at 11:50pm, during which 16 more bodies were found.
Two of the deceased were identified as Rehena Begum, 60, and Marjina Begum, 55, confirmed Resident Medical Officer of Daulatdia Upazila Health Complex, Dr Md Shariful Islam.
According to police and local sources, 11 passengers were able to swim to safety.
Maruf Hasan, a doctor of Daulatdia Upazila Health Complex, said two women were brought dead while another woman, who is a doctor at a private hospital in Dhaka, received treatment.
Rajbari Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Dewan Sohel Rana said at 9:55pm that rescue efforts continue under challenging conditions.
Quoting a passenger, the fire official said they came to know that at least 40 passengers were on board during the accident.
Md Monir Hossain, transport supervisor at Daulatdia ferry ghat, said the bus arrived at pontoon number 3 shortly after 5:00pm. At that time, a ferry carrying vehicles departed for Paturia in Manikganj. Unable to board, the bus waited for another ferry.
Around 5:15pm, a small utility ferry named Hasna Hena struck the pontoon with force. The impact caused the bus to lose control and fall into the river.
“Right before our eyes, the bus fell into the river, but we could do nothing,” Monir said. He added that while some passengers managed to swim ashore, most remained trapped inside.
Local residents gathered at the ghat and initiated initial rescue efforts.
Divers from Paturia and Aricha ghats have joined the rescue operation, the fire service added.
Police, army, naval police, and fire service personnel are engaged in rescue efforts. Senior officials, including the district commissioner, superintendent of police, and Goalanda upazila executive officer, are present at the site.
