Bangladesh Bus Tragedy: 24 Dead as Passenger Bus Plunges into Padma River
In a devastating incident that has shocked the nation, at least 24 people have been confirmed dead after a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River in Bangladesh. The tragic accident occurred on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, near Daulatdia in the Rajbari district, approximately 100 kilometers from the capital city of Dhaka.
Details of the Fatal Accident
The ill-fated bus was carrying around 40 passengers when it lost control while attempting to board a ferry at the Daulatdia terminal. According to eyewitness accounts and official reports, the bus overturned and sank nearly 30 feet (9 meters) into the river. The vehicle was completely submerged, creating a challenging situation for rescue teams.
Monir Hossain, the terminal supervisor, provided a chilling account of the moments leading to the tragedy. "When the bus was heading towards the ferry from the pontoon, another smaller utility ferry hit the pontoon," Hossain explained. "It plunged into the river as the bus driver lost control of the steering. Right before our eyes, the bus fell into the river, but we could do nothing."
Rescue Operations and Recovery Efforts
Rescue operations were immediately launched following the accident, involving multiple agencies working together to save lives and recover victims. The response team included:
- Four fire service units
- Ten specialized divers
- Army personnel
- Police officers
- Coast guard members
- Local authorities
A rescue vessel was deployed late on Wednesday to assist in lifting the submerged bus from the river. However, the operation faced significant challenges due to adverse weather conditions and environmental factors.
Challenges Faced by Rescue Teams
Fire Service official Dewan Sohel Rana described the difficult circumstances rescue teams encountered. Strong currents and heavy rains disrupted the rescue operations overnight, making it extremely challenging to access the submerged vehicle and locate survivors. Many passengers managed to swim to safety, but others were tragically trapped inside the bus and drowned.
Talha Bin Zasim, another Fire Service official, provided detailed information about the victims recovered from the accident. Rescuers recovered 22 bodies from inside the submerged bus, including:
- Six men
- Eleven women
- Five children
Additionally, two women died after being rescued from the river, bringing the total confirmed death toll to 24 people. Witnesses and police reported that approximately 11 passengers managed to swim to shore or were rescued alive, while many others remain missing.
Government Response and Investigation
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken personal interest in the tragic incident, contacting Rajbari district officials to receive updates on the rescue operation. The Prime Minister has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident to determine the exact causes and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This river tragedy comes as Bangladesh continues to grapple with transportation safety challenges. Earlier reports indicated that a Bangladesh air force training aircraft crashed into a college and school campus in Dhaka, killing at least 31 people, including the pilot. The F-7 BGI aircraft crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Uttara neighborhood while students were taking tests or attending regular classes.
The bus accident video has gone viral on social media platforms, drawing international attention to the tragedy and raising questions about transportation safety standards in Bangladesh. As the nation mourns the loss of life, authorities continue their efforts to improve safety measures and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
