Dhaka, 26 March (H.S.):

The death toll from the road accident on Padma River in Bangladesh has risen to 26, officials said Thursday. The tragedy occurred in Rajbari district when a passenger bus being driven onto a ferry veered off and plunged into the river during the boarding process at Daulatdia ferry terminal in the Goalanda sub‑district.

Initial reports from Dhaka Tribune and Prothom Alo said the accident happened on Wednesday around 5:15 pm when the “Sauharda Paribahan” bus was being loaded onto Pontoon‑3 moored on Padma River.

According to eyewitnesses and local authorities the bus was carrying roughly 40 to 45 passengers as it travelled from Kumarkhali in Kushtia towards Dhaka and had stopped to wait for the ferry.

Shortly after, a small utility ferry named “Hasna Henaa” collided with the pontoon, disturbing its balance and causing the bus to lose stability and roll into the river. The vehicle sank into deep water, trapping most of those on board. Rescue teams including police navy divers fire service and civil defence personnel launched an immediate search and recovery operation.

Using the rescue vessel Hamza, rescuers managed to retrieve the submerged bus late on Wednesday around 11:30 pm after roughly six hours of effort. Of the 40–45 people on the bus only two were rescued alive; the remaining 26 bodies have now been recovered and handed over to their families. The victims include men women and children.

Following the accident the district administration of Rajbari set up a five‑member high‑level inquiry committee late on Wednesday night. The committee has been directed to submit its findings to the deputy commissioner within three days. Additional District Magistrate Mohammad Hafizur Rahman has been appointed as the committee convener, with members drawn from the police fire service navy coast guard and local administration.

The Rajbari district authorities have also announced that each bereaved family will receive an initial compensation of 25,000 BDT (Bangladeshi Taka). Officials have appealed to the public not to speculate or circulate unverified details and to await the outcome of the official investigation. The incident has reignited debate over ferry safety and traffic management at river crossings in Bangladesh.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar