By Peter Omopo
At least 35 people have been reported missing after a commercial bus carrying more than 40 passengers plunged into the Padma River in Bangladesh’s Rajbari district.
The incident occurred at about 5:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Daulatdia ferry ghat when the bus reportedly lost control while boarding a ferry and fell into the river.
Local sources said several passengers were trapped inside the submerged vehicle, raising fears of a higher casualty toll.
Emergency responders have recovered multiple bodies, while some passengers managed to swim to safety.
According to reports, the bus was travelling from Rajbari to Dhaka when the accident happened as it was being transported across the river on a ferry.
A police official, Russel Mollah, confirmed that at least 23 bodies had been recovered so far, adding that rescue efforts were ongoing.
He noted that the operation, involving the fire service, navy, police and other emergency teams, was temporarily slowed due to poor visibility at night but would resume fully at daylight.
Authorities say efforts are continuing to locate missing passengers and recover the remaining victims.
