Bangladesh Bus Ferry Tragedy Leaves At Least 24 Dead in Padma River

At least 24 people died in Bangladesh after a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River while attempting to board a ferry. Several passengers were trapped and drowned, while rescue efforts were hindered by strong currents and heavy rain. Authorities have launched an investigation, with fears that more victims may still be missing.

At least 24 people have been confirmed dead in Bangladesh after a passenger bus carrying dozens of travelers plunged into the Padma River, in one of the country’s latest transport disasters.
The accident happened while the bus was en route from a southwestern district to the capital, Dhaka. Authorities said the vehicle lost control as it approached a ferry crossing point and fell into the river while attempting to board. Witnesses reported that the bus appeared unstable before it suddenly tipped over the edge and plunged into the water, triggering panic among passengers.
Officials from the Fire Service and Civil Defence said the bus flipped over before sinking roughly 30 feet (9 meters) below the surface. It was believed to be carrying between 40 and 50 passengers at the time. Many of them were returning to the capital and other cities after celebrating Eid with their families, making the bus particularly crowded.
Survivors recounted moments of chaos as the vehicle began to sink. Some passengers managed to break windows or escape through doors before the bus was fully submerged, swimming through the murky waters to safety. However, others, including children and elderly passengers, were unable to escape in time and became trapped inside the bus.
Rescue operations began shortly after the incident, with four fire service units and at least 10 trained divers deployed to the scene. The rescue effort was reinforced by personnel from the army, police, coast guard, and local authorities. A specialized rescue vessel was later brought in to assist in lifting the submerged bus from the riverbed.
Despite the swift response, operations were severely hampered by heavy rainfall, poor visibility, and strong river currents, which made diving conditions dangerous and slowed down recovery efforts. Rescuers worked through the night under difficult conditions, struggling to reach victims trapped inside the wreckage.
Authorities confirmed that 22 of the victims were recovered from inside the bus. The deceased included six men, 11 women, and five children, highlighting the scale of the tragedy. Two additional women later died after being rescued and rushed to nearby medical facilities, bringing the confirmed death toll to 24. However, local reports, including those from The Daily Star, suggest the number of fatalities could be higher, with some passengers still unaccounted for.
Families of the victims gathered at the scene and nearby hospitals, desperately seeking information about their loved ones. The incident has sparked grief and outrage, with many calling for stricter safety measures and better regulation of public transport systems.
In response, local authorities have set up a five-member investigation committee to determine the exact cause of the crash. The panel is expected to examine whether driver error, mechanical failure, overloading, or poor ferry boarding procedures contributed to the accident.
Deadly transport incidents remain a persistent issue in Bangladesh. The country’s extensive river network makes ferries and water crossings a vital part of daily travel, but safety standards are often poorly enforced. Overcrowding, aging vehicles, and inadequate infrastructure frequently increase the risk of accidents.
Each year, hundreds of people lose their lives in road and waterway mishaps across Bangladesh, prompting repeated calls for reform. This latest tragedy has once again raised urgent concerns about passenger safety and the need for stricter oversight to prevent similar disasters in the future.