A passenger coach that plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia Ferry Ghat in Rajbari was successfully recovered after an intensive rescue operation lasting around two and a half hours, averting what could have been a major tragedy.
The bus, operated by SB Super Deluxe, fell into the river at approximately 9:40 a.m. on Friday while attempting to board a ferry at Daulatdia’s No. 7 ferry terminal in Goaland Upazila. According to officials, the vessel was lifted from the river shortly after noon by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority’s (BIWTA) salvage vessel Hamza and placed onto the K-type ferry Karabi.
Although the accident initially raised fears of significant loss of life, no passengers were on board at the time of the incident. As a result, there were no fatalities, and only the driver and his assistant sustained injuries.
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Accident Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Daulatdia No. 7 Ferry Ghat, Goaland, Rajbari |
| Time of Accident | Around 9:40 a.m., Friday |
| Bus Operator | SB Super Deluxe |
| Estimated Passengers | About 37 |
| Total Occupants Before Disembarkation | Approximately 40 |
| Nature of Incident | Bus fell into the Padma River while boarding a ferry |
| Suspected Cause | Alleged brake failure |
| Injured | Driver and assistant |
| Fatalities | None |
| Recovery Time | Approximately 2.5 hours |
How the Incident Unfolded
Witnesses said the incident occurred within seconds. The bus was moving onto the ferry when it reportedly lost control, struck the ferry ramp and plunged directly into the river. The vehicle quickly began to sink beneath the water.
Fortunately, all passengers had already been instructed to leave the coach before boarding the ferry, in accordance with long-standing ferry terminal safety regulations. Officials and witnesses alike credited this procedure with preventing a potentially catastrophic loss of life.
Driver Jhontu Ali, who was later admitted to hospital along with his assistant, said the bus had departed from Madanpur in Kushtia carrying roughly 37 passengers and was bound for Dhaka. After arriving at Daulatdia, passengers were asked to disembark as required. He claimed that the vehicle’s brakes suddenly failed while he was driving onto the ferry, causing him to lose control.
One passenger, a schoolteacher, recalled that he had initially been reluctant to get off the bus. However, members of the river police strictly enforced the safety rule and required all passengers to leave the vehicle. Within moments of doing so, the coach plunged into the river. He remarked that the decision to remove passengers had undoubtedly saved many lives.
Importance of Ferry Safety Procedures
Daulatdia is one of Bangladesh’s busiest river transport hubs, handling hundreds of buses, trucks and cargo vehicles every day alongside thousands of travellers. Given the volume of traffic, strict adherence to vehicle-loading procedures is regarded as essential.
Transport officials noted that requiring passengers to leave vehicles before ferry crossings has been a standard safety measure for many years. Friday’s incident demonstrated the practical value of that rule, as a serious accident occurred without resulting in passenger casualties.
Investigation Planned
District authorities have announced that a five- to seven-member investigation committee will be formed to determine the precise cause of the accident. The committee will examine whether mechanical failure, operational errors or other factors contributed to the incident.
Rajbari Deputy Commissioner Afroza Parvin stated that compliance with established safety instructions had played a decisive role in protecting lives. She added that the investigation findings would guide any future corrective measures and that ferry terminal safety arrangements would also be reviewed.
Authorities further said that passengers’ belongings recovered from the bus would be identified and returned to their owners following verification procedures.
Shadow of a Previous Tragedy
The incident inevitably revived memories of a deadly accident at the same ferry terminal on 25 March this year, when a passenger bus from Kushtia fell into the river, resulting in the deaths of 26 people. That tragedy remains fresh in public memory and heightened concern when Friday’s accident occurred.
For many observers, the absence of fatalities this time underscored the effectiveness of enforcing safety regulations at ferry crossings. Transport experts and local officials alike believe the event serves as a powerful reminder that passenger disembarkation requirements are not merely administrative formalities but critical safeguards designed to protect lives in emergencies.