Padma River Bus Rescue Continues

A major rescue operation is ongoing in the Padma River at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari, where a passenger bus sank earlier this week, leaving dozens of people feared missing. Emergency and recovery teams have been working continuously to locate survivors and retrieve the submerged vehicle, while the situation remains critical and tense.

The recovery effort commenced late on Wednesday, 25 March, at approximately 11:00 pm, when the salvage vessel Hamza arrived at the scene. Assisted by a crane, rescue teams have succeeded in lifting the front section of the bus above the water level. However, the majority of the vehicle is still submerged, and full recovery operations are continuing with caution.

Officials involved in the operation reported that the bus door was found damaged, indicating the force of the impact when the vehicle entered the river. Personal belongings, including school bags, footwear, and small personal items, have been seen floating in the water, providing a sobering indication of the human toll of the disaster. In anticipation of casualties or survivors being recovered, three ambulances have been kept on standby at the site.

The accident occurred earlier on Wednesday afternoon at around 4:45 pm when a bus operated by Sohag Paribahan, travelling from Kushtia, fell into the Padma River from a pontoon at the Daulatdia ferry terminal. At the time of the incident, the vehicle is believed to have been carrying between 45 and 50 passengers.

While seven passengers managed to escape by swimming to safety shortly after the incident, a large number remain unaccounted for. Preliminary estimates suggest that approximately 40 individuals are still missing, though authorities have yet to confirm an exact figure as search operations continue.

Rajbari Civil Surgeon Dr SM Masud confirmed that the bodies of two women have so far been recovered from the river. The bodies have been sent to Goalanda Upazila Health Complex for necessary procedures and identification.

Rescue operations are being carried out by a coordinated team of fire service personnel. Md Belal Uddin, Commander of the Faridpur Fire Service, stated that the operation includes two trained divers, two assistant divers, and a five-member support team working under challenging river conditions. Their primary focus remains on locating survivors and ensuring the safe retrieval of the sunken bus.

However, concerns have been raised by eyewitnesses regarding the response time of emergency services. Some locals allege that there were delays in the arrival of the salvage vessel and that diving operations commenced nearly an hour after the incident. These claims have sparked criticism and added to public concern over emergency preparedness.

One of the survivors, Abdul Azizul, recounted that he boarded the bus from Gandhimara in Kalukhali upazila. Although he managed to escape by swimming to safety, he expressed deep anguish over the disappearance of his wife and young child, who are still unaccounted for.

Eyewitness accounts further suggest that only a small number of passengers were able to escape the sinking bus, with many believed to have been trapped inside as it rapidly submerged. The strong river currents and depth of the Padma are also understood to be complicating rescue efforts, making the search both difficult and time-consuming.

Key Details of the Incident

As the rescue operation continues, authorities are striving to bring closure to the families of those affected. The incident has once again raised serious concerns about safety standards at ferry terminals and the urgent need for stricter safety measures and improved emergency response systems to prevent such devastating tragedies in the future.