At Least 23 Dead As Bus Plunges Into River In Bangladesh

 

 

New Delhi : At least 23 people died and several others remained missing after a bus plunged into a river in Bangladesh while attempting to get onto a transport ferry, officials said on Thursday morning.

The accident happened in the southwestern district of Rajbari at the Dauladia terminal when the bus fell into the Padma River at about 5.15 pm on Wednesday.

Police Inspector Russel Mollah said they had recovered 23 bodies so far, ANI reported. He said the rescue operations were paused at night and will resume in the daylight.

 

"Some may still be missing, though a few people survived. Since it is night, the rescue operation is somewhat paused, but a combined rescue operation is ongoing, with various forces--fire service, navy, police, and other groups. However, due to darkness, the operation is temporarily halted, but it will resume again in the daylight," he said late Wednesday.

Officials said they estimated that the Dhaka-bound bus was carrying some 40 passengers, including several children, and most were returning to the capital after ending their Eid holidays.

According to the Rajbari district administration officials, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called them to know salvage campaign updates and ordered an investigation into the accident.

 

Police and witnesses earlier said about 11 passengers managed to swim ashore or were rescued. “When the bus was heading towards the ferry from the pontoon, another smaller utility ferry hit the pontoon. It plunged into the river as the bus driver lost control of the steering,” the terminal’s supervisor, Monir Hossain, said, according to PTI.

“Right before our eyes, the bus fell into the river, but we could do nothing,” he added.

According to witnesses and officials, many of the passengers were members of the same family. While several of them survived as they stood outside, their relatives were on the bus as it drowned.