The intensive rescue and recovery operation at Doulotdia ferry terminal, following a devastating bus sinking incident in the River Padma, has entered its third consecutive day. Authorities confirmed that despite sustained efforts by multiple emergency agencies, no additional bodies were recovered on Friday, although search operations continued throughout the day as a precautionary measure.
The renewed phase of the operation was initiated on Friday morning after a fresh missing-person claim prompted officials to revisit and re-examine sections of the river where the accident occurred. The development has added a further layer of complexity to an already extensive recovery mission involving naval, fire service and coastguard units.
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New missing-person report prompts renewed deployment
The latest search effort was triggered following an appeal from Mukta Khatun, a resident who reported that her brother, Ripon Sheikh (40), had been missing since leaving home after the Eid holidays.
According to her account, Ripon Sheikh, a labourer employed at a brick kiln in the Gabtoli area of Dhaka, departed his village residence in Arkandi, under Baliakandi upazila in Rajbari district, on Wednesday to return to work. However, his family has since been unable to establish contact with him, raising concerns about his whereabouts.
She informed local authorities in Rajbari, prompting a precautionary search operation at the Doulotdia ferry terminal area on Friday morning to determine whether he may have been among the passengers involved in the submerged bus.
Subsequent preliminary checks by officials reportedly suggested that no passenger matching his description was believed to have boarded the ill-fated vehicle. Family members also noted that he has a history of occasional mental health-related issues, which has further complicated efforts to trace his movements.
Multi-agency recovery operations ongoing
Rajbari Fire Service Deputy Director Md Sohel Rana confirmed that coordinated rescue efforts involving the Bangladesh Navy, Fire Service, and Coast Guard have so far recovered 26 bodies from the river since the incident occurred.
He stated that all recovered remains had been handed over to families through the district administration after formal identification procedures.
“Up to Thursday, a total of 26 bodies were recovered through joint operations conducted by naval, fire service, and coastguard teams,” he said. “Following the latest claim, the search operation resumed again on Friday morning as a precautionary measure.”
Officials have stressed that despite the challenging river conditions, including strong currents and low underwater visibility, all possible search zones continue to be monitored systematically.
Passenger estimates and preliminary assessments
Authorities have also provided an overview of preliminary casualty estimates and passenger movement based on available information gathered from survivors, witnesses and transport records.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Bus capacity | 40 seats |
| Confirmed recovered bodies | 26 |
| Survivors (escaped by swimming) | 5–7 persons |
| Reported pre-incident disembarkations | Several passengers |
| Current assessment | No confirmed missing persons (subject to verification) |
Officials noted that the figures remain subject to verification as cross-checking of passenger lists, eyewitness accounts, and identification records continues.
Local administration assessment
Goaland Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sathi Das stated that the available data suggests that most passengers have already been accounted for through a combination of recoveries, survivor accounts and confirmed disembarkations prior to the vessel’s final departure.
She explained that while 26 bodies have been recovered, a number of passengers are believed to have managed to escape by swimming to safety shortly after the accident occurred. Additionally, some individuals reportedly disembarked before the final leg of the journey, further complicating initial passenger estimations.
“Based on current information, it is likely that no additional passengers remain missing,” she said. “However, our rescue teams remain fully prepared, and operations will continue if any credible new information emerges.”
Continued vigilance and operational readiness
Despite the absence of new recoveries on Friday, authorities have maintained an active presence at the site, emphasising that the search operation will not be formally concluded until all possibilities are fully exhausted.
Specialist diving teams, river patrol units and emergency responders remain deployed along key sections of the Padma River to ensure rapid response capability in the event of further developments. Officials have also confirmed that sonar scanning and surface patrols are being used in tandem to maximise coverage of the affected area.
The coordinated operation is being closely monitored by district-level administration, with senior officials overseeing the verification process to ensure that all potential victims are accounted for.
Families await final confirmation
Meanwhile, the incident continues to cause distress among affected families, many of whom are still awaiting definitive confirmation regarding the fate of missing relatives. Local authorities have appealed for patience, assuring that every possible effort is being made to ensure accuracy in identification and recovery procedures.
As the operation enters its fourth day of extended monitoring, officials have described it as one of the more complex river rescue efforts in the region in recent times, both in terms of scale and logistical challenge.