Bus Tragedy in Padma Rescue Continues

The search and rescue operation for a missing brick kiln worker has entered its third consecutive day following a devastating bus accident in the river at Daulatdia ferry terminal in Goaland, Rajbari District, along the banks of the Padma River.

The incident occurred on Wednesday (25 March) at around 5:30 pm when a Dhaka-bound passenger bus of Sohardya Paribahan was attempting to board a ferry at Daulatdia Ferry Ghat No. 3. During the manoeuvre from the pontoon onto the ferry, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle. The bus then plunged into the river and sank rapidly, triggering a large-scale emergency response.

On Friday morning, rescue teams resumed operations across the accident zone, including Ferry Ghat No. 3 and surrounding stretches of the Padma River. The coordinated effort involves divers from the Fire Service and Civil Defence, the Bangladesh Navy, and the Bangladesh Coast Guard. Authorities have also issued public announcements through loudspeakers, urging boat operators and local residents to report any sightings of bodies or survivors drifting in the river.

So far, the confirmed death toll has risen to 26, including women, children, and the driver of the vehicle. All recovered bodies have been handed over to their respective families following official identification procedures. Despite extensive search efforts, no formally verified missing persons have been reported to the authorities, although one individual has been claimed missing by a relative.

Officials have noted that the claim remains unsubstantiated, as the woman who came forward alleging her brother was on board has not yet been able to provide documentary or other evidence confirming his presence on the bus or his travel destination. Nonetheless, search operations continue as a precautionary measure.

Separate investigative committees have been formed by both the Ministry of Shipping and the district administration to determine the cause of the accident and assess whether procedural or operational lapses contributed to the tragedy.

Casualty and Rescue Summary

The rescue teams have reiterated that operations will continue until all possibilities are exhausted, with particular attention to deeper currents and downstream areas of the Padma River, where strong flow conditions often complicate recovery efforts.