Tragic Bus Plunge in Padma River: 18 Bodies Recovered
Rescue teams recovered 18 bodies after a bus plunged into the Padma River in Goalanda upazila, Rajbari on Wednesday afternoon. Officials described the scene as chaotic and said operations continued through the night.
Recovery and rescue effort
Fire Service teams initially recovered two bodies. Later, the rescue vessel Hamza raised the submerged bus at 11:50pm.
When the bus was lifted, crews found 16 more victims. The recovered dead include four men, ten women, and two children.
Agencies on site
Police, army, naval police, and fire service personnel joined the operation. Divers from the Paturia and Aricha ghats also took part.
Senior local officials were present at the scene. They included the district commissioner, the superintendent of police, and the Goalanda upazila executive officer.
Victims and survivors
Two victims were identified as Rehena Begum, 60, and Marjina Begum, 55. The identifications were confirmed by Dr Md Shariful Islam, resident medical officer at Daulatdia Upazila Health Complex.
Medical staff reported that two women arrived already dead. Another woman, a doctor who works at a private hospital in Dhaka, received treatment at the same facility.
Authorities and local sources said 11 passengers swam to safety. A passenger told rescuers that at least 40 people had been on board.
Sequence of the accident
The bus reached pontoon number 3 shortly after 5:00pm. At that time a vehicle ferry left for Paturia in Manikganj, forcing the bus to wait for the next ferry.
At about 5:15pm a small utility ferry, Hasna Hena, struck the pontoon. The impact caused the bus to lose control and fall into the river.
Local residents attempted immediate rescues. They carried out initial recovery efforts before formal teams arrived.
Official statements
Deputy Assistant Director Dewan Sohel Rana of the Rajbari Fire Service and Civil Defence said conditions hampered work. He told Filmogaz.com rescue teams were still working under difficult circumstances at 9:55pm.
- Incident location: Goalanda upazila, Rajbari
- Waterway: Padma River
- Bodies recovered: 18 (4 men, 10 women, 2 children)
- Initially recovered: 2 bodies; additional 16 after bus was raised at 11:50pm
- Survivors who swam ashore: 11
- Estimated passengers on board: about 40
- Time of impact: around 5:15pm
The tragic bus plunge near the Padma River prompted a large-scale response. Investigations and recovery work continued into the night.
