The search operation for a missing person continued for a third consecutive day following a devastating bus capsize near the Daulatdia ferry terminal in the Goaland upazila of Rajbari district, Bangladesh. The incident occurred in the busy ferry crossing area on the banks of the Padma River, triggering an extensive multi-agency rescue effort that remains ongoing.
Since the accident, coordinated diving and search teams from the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, the Bangladesh Navy, and the Bangladesh Coast Guard have been conducting uninterrupted underwater and surface searches across various sections of the river. On Friday morning, operations were intensified around the Daulatdia No. 3 ferry terminal and adjoining stretches of the river, with specialised units deploying sonar-assisted scanning and diver-based inspections.
Authorities have also urged river users, ferry operators, and local residents to remain vigilant. Through public announcements and loudspeaker messages, the Coast Guard requested immediate reporting of any floating bodies or suspicious objects in the water to accelerate the search process and improve operational efficiency.
According to official updates, a total of 26 bodies—including women, children, and the bus driver—have been recovered so far. The deceased were subsequently handed over to their families following formal identification procedures carried out by the district administration. Most of the victims are believed to have been residents of nearby areas and surrounding districts, deepening the sense of grief across the region.
Situation Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of incident | 25 March (approximately 5:30 pm) |
| Location | Daulatdia Ferry Terminal No. 3, Goaland, Rajbari |
| Bodies recovered | 26 |
| Confirmed missing | None officially verified |
| Rescue duration | Ongoing for 3rd consecutive day |
| Agencies involved | Fire Service, Navy, Coast Guard, District Administration |
Two separate investigation committees have been formed by the Ministry of Shipping and the District Administration Rajbari to determine the exact cause of the accident. These committees are tasked with examining safety lapses, operational failures, and potential negligence that may have contributed to the tragedy. Preliminary assessments suggest that the bus may have lost control while attempting to board the ferry and subsequently plunged into the river from the pontoon area.
Rajbari Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Dewan Sohel Rana stated that divers are continuing their operations with heightened caution and full commitment. He confirmed that no verifiable information regarding any remaining missing passengers has yet been established. Although a woman has claimed that her brother is unaccounted for, officials have not been able to substantiate whether he was actually aboard the ill-fated bus.
Despite the uncertainty, authorities have reiterated that search operations will not be suspended until all possibilities have been exhausted. The tragedy has once again drawn attention to longstanding concerns over safety standards, crowd management, and vehicular control at major river ferry terminals across Bangladesh, particularly along the vital Padma River crossing routes.