Daulatdia Bus Disaster: 12 Identified

A tragic incident at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari, where a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River, has taken a clearer but deeply distressing turn as authorities have now confirmed the identities of 12 passengers from Kushtia district. However, five of those individuals remain missing, heightening fears that the death toll may rise further as rescue operations continue.

The ill-fated bus, operated by Sohag Paribahan, began its journey from the Kumarkhali Municipal Bus Terminal in Kushtia, carrying eight passengers at the outset. Along the route, a further four passengers boarded the vehicle from the Khoksa counter. Among those identified is the family of Gias Uddin Ripon from Shomsapur village in Khoksa. He was travelling with his wife, Lita Khatun, and their two children—Abul Kasem Safi (17) and Ayesha Binte Gias (13)—as they were returning to Dhaka after celebrating Eid. Tragically, Ayesha Binte Gias remains missing.

Another family caught in the disaster is that of Nuruzzaman from Khondokbaria village in Shailkupa upazila of Jhenaidah. He was travelling with his wife Ayesha Akter and their two young children, Nawara Akter (4) and Arshan, an infant of just seven months. Reports from relatives indicate that both Ayesha Akter and baby Arshan are still unaccounted for.

Additional passengers who boarded from the Khoksa counter include Rajib Biswas (28) from Janipur Khagorbaria, Delwar Hossain (30) from Dhusundu village, along with his wife and their three-year-old son, Israfil. Of these individuals, both Rajib Biswas and young Israfil are reported missing, while the fate of others is still being ascertained.

According to Tanmoy Ahmed, the Kumarkhali counter manager of Sohag Paribahan, the bus initially departed with only a few occupied seats but continued to pick up passengers along the route. By the time it reached the ferry terminal, the vehicle was carrying approximately 50 passengers, including the driver and assistant.

Rescue operations remain ongoing under extremely challenging conditions. Faridpur Fire Service Commander Md Belal Uddin confirmed that two bodies—both women—have so far been recovered from the river. However, there is a strong possibility that a significant number of passengers are still trapped inside the submerged bus.

The rescue teams, including specialised divers from the fire service, are working tirelessly to retrieve victims from the riverbed. Officials estimate that around 40 passengers may still be unaccounted for, and many of them could have remained trapped inside the vehicle when it sank.

A major challenge facing the rescue operation is the powerful current of the Padma River, combined with poor underwater visibility and the depth at which the bus has settled. These harsh environmental conditions are making recovery efforts both slow and perilous for the rescue teams.

Identified Passengers and Status

The incident has cast a shadow of grief over the affected families, many of whom are still waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the bus sank rapidly after falling into the river, leaving little time for passengers to escape.

Rescue officials emphasise that operations will continue until all possible efforts have been made to recover the missing individuals. Meanwhile, authorities are also expected to investigate the circumstances that led to the accident in an effort to prevent similar tragedies in the future.