24 Killed as Bus Falls into Padma River in Bangladesh

At least 24 people have lost their lives after a passenger bus carrying around 40 passengers plunged into the Padma River while attempting to board a ferry in Bangladesh, officials confirmed on Thursday.

The tragic accident occurred on Wednesday evening near the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari district, located approximately 100 kilometers from Dhaka. According to authorities, the bus lost control while approaching the ferry, overturned, and sank nearly 30 feet deep into the river.

Rescue teams, led by the Fire Service and Civil Defence, recovered 22 bodies from inside the submerged vehicle. The victims include six men, 11 women, and five children, highlighting the devastating scale of the incident.

Officials further confirmed that two additional women succumbed to their injuries after being rescued, bringing the total death toll to 24.

A large-scale rescue operation is currently underway, involving four fire service units and a team of 10 divers. The efforts are being supported by the army, police, coast guard, and local authorities as they continue to search for missing passengers.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, while concerns over ferry safety and transportation management in the region have once again come into focus.