NewsFlash Daily™
26 March 
Horror unfolds at Daulatdia terminal as an overcrowded bus slips into the river while boarding a ferry; Prime Minister orders an urgent investigation
Dhaka: In a heart-wrenching tragedy in Bangladesh, at least 23 people lost their lives after an overloaded passenger bus plunged into the Padma River while attempting to board a ferry near the capital, Dhaka. The incident has triggered nationwide shock, prompting the Prime Minister to order an immediate investigation.
The tragic accident occurred on Wednesday evening at Daulatdia terminal in Rajbari district, located in southwestern Bangladesh. The bus, which was carrying around 50 passengers, reportedly lost control and fell into the river while trying to board a transport ferry.
Passengers Thrown into River
As the bus slipped into the Padma River, passengers were thrown into the water, leading to chaos and panic. While some managed to escape, many were trapped inside the submerged vehicle.
“The bus appeared heavily overloaded and lost balance while boarding the ferry,” eyewitnesses stated, highlighting the likely cause of the accident.
Rescue Operations and Survivors
Emergency response teams, including fire service personnel and trained divers, rushed to the scene and launched intensive rescue operations. Several passengers were rescued, with at least 11 individuals managing to swim to safety.
However, many others remain missing, and authorities fear the death toll could rise further.
Bus Retrieved After 6 Hours
According to reports, the rescue vessel ‘Hamza’ recovered the submerged bus nearly six hours after the incident. Using a crane mounted on the vessel, the entire bus was lifted from the river, aiding search operations.
Overloading Suspected as Key Cause
Preliminary findings and eyewitness accounts suggest that the bus was carrying more passengers than its capacity, which may have caused it to lose balance during the ferry boarding process.
Families Among Victims
Authorities revealed that several passengers on board belonged to the same families, making the tragedy even more devastating for local communities.
Prime Minister Orders Probe
In response to the incident, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause and identify lapses in safety protocols.
Rising Concerns Over Transport Safety
This tragic incident once again raises serious concerns about transport safety standards, overcrowding, and ferry management systems in Bangladesh.
