At Least 23 Killed as Bus Plunges into River in Bangladesh

Dhaka, 26 March 2026 : A tragic accident in Bangladesh’s Rajbari district claimed the lives of at least 23 people on Wednesday when a bus, carrying around 50 passengers, plunged into the Padma River while attempting to board a transport ferry. The mishap occurred at the Dauladia terminal at approximately 5:15 PM local time, prompting an urgent rescue operation involving fire service teams, coastguard divers, and local authorities.

According to officials, the bus driver lost control while navigating onto the ferry, causing the vehicle to nosedive into the river. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as the bus sank within seconds, with some passengers managing to swim to safety and bystanders helping with ropes, life-saving tubes, and a small boat. Eleven passengers were reported rescued or able to swim ashore, while the remaining victims were trapped inside the submerged bus.

The deceased include 11 women, eight children, and four men. While 22 bodies have been handed over to families, one remains unclaimed, Bangladeshi media reported. The bus was successfully retrieved after six hours using the rescue vessel Hamza, aided by a crane amid rough weather conditions.

Eyewitnesses indicated that many of the passengers were family members returning to Dhaka after Eid holidays. Terminal supervisor Monir Hossain stated that a smaller ferry had collided with the pontoon as the bus approached, which contributed to the driver losing control and the vehicle falling into the river.

The Rajbari district administration confirmed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman contacted officials to monitor the salvage operation and has ordered a formal investigation. A high-level probe committee is being formed to determine the exact circumstances of the accident and assess safety measures at ferry terminals.

The incident has sparked national grief and raised urgent concerns over transport safety on river crossings in Bangladesh, emphasizing the need for stricter protocols and better coordination at ferry points to prevent such disasters in the future.