At least 24 people have died after a passenger bus carrying around 40 people plunged into the Padma River while trying to board a ferry in Bangladesh.
The accident occurred on Wednesday in Daulatdia, Rajbari district, about 62 miles from Dhaka, when the bus lost control approaching the ferry, AFP reported.
The vehicle overturned and sank nearly 30 feet into the river, according to police, the Fire Service and Civil Defence.
Rescuers recovered 22 bodies from inside the submerged bus, including six men, 11 women, and five children. Two women later died in the hospital, bringing the confirmed death toll to 24, Fire Service official Talha Bin Zasim said.
Bus FULL OF PASSENGERS PLUNGES into Padma River after reportedly losing control while boarding a ferry in Bangladesh
At least 24 reported dead, according to officials pic.twitter.com/wp9E4EMix4
— RT (@RT_com) March 26, 2026
Police Inspector Russel Mollah told ANI that some passengers may still be missing. Rescue operations were paused at night and will continue in daylight, he added.
“Some may still be missing, though a few people survived. Since it is night, the rescue operation is temporarily halted, but it will resume again in the daylight with combined efforts from the fire service, navy, police, and other groups,” he said.
Witnesses said a smaller utility ferry collided with the pontoon as the bus drove onto it, causing the driver to lose control. The bus toppled into the river, forcing passengers into the fast-moving water.
The bus was travelling from Kushtia to Dhaka, carrying passengers returning to work after Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
Fire Service official Dewan Sohel Rana said four fire units and 10 divers led the rescue, supported by the army, police, coast guard, and local authorities.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed deep concern and instructed officials to do everything possible to rescue survivors, recover victims, and ensure injured passengers receive medical treatment.