Casualties feared as bus with 50 falls into Padma from pontoon

At Daulatdia Ghat on Wednesday afternoon, what should have been an ordinary river crossing turned into a scene of panic and heartbreak, as a bus, carrying around 50 people, slipped beneath the waters of the Padma River from a pontoon within moments, leaving dozens feared trapped inside.
Only two deaths were officially confirmed till filing of this report at 10pm, with rescuers fearing the toll could rise sharply. Besides, a total of 11 passengers were rescued alive, according to locals.
The deceased are Rehena Begum, 60, from the Bhabanipur area of Rajbari, and Marjina Begum, 55, whose details could not be known immediately, Rajbari Civil Surgeon Dr SM Mashud said around 8:40pm.
He said the rescue work was being hampered by stormy weather. “We will be able to give an update once the work is complete,” he told the Daily Sun. 
Standing by the riverbank, a young man cried uncontrollably – his voice breaking as he spoke of the wife and child he had just lost. “I told them to stay home… I would go alone,” he said, gasping for breath between sobs. “She did not listen. Now… how could you leave me like this?”
Nearby, a child survivor named Alif, who was returning to Savar from Rajbari with his mother, trembled as he tried to recall the moment everything changed. “I was with my mother,” he said. “Suddenly the bus moved forward, tilted… and then it overturned. Some of us jumped from the back.”
He stopped mid-sentence, calling out for his mother, who has not yet been found.
Around 8pm, Faridpur Fire Service Commander Md Belal Uddin said they feared nearly 40 people might still be trapped inside the sunken bus.
The accident took place around 5:15pm in front of Daulatdia Ghat No 3. The bus left Rajbari for Dhaka. 
According to ghat supervisor Md Monir Hossain, the bus of Showhardo Paribahan arrived at the ghat shortly after 5pm. A ferry had just left for Paturia, and the bus missed boarding it. 
While waiting for the next ferry, a small utility ferry named Hasna Hena hit the pontoon with force, he said, adding that the impact caused the bus to lose control and fall into the river. 
The bus was located at a 90-foot depth, Executive Magistrate Hafizur Rahman said around 9:30pm.
A survivor told the Daily Sun that he had got off the bus and stood on a ferry just before the accident. “I was lucky to survive. I had been talking to a passenger beside me and asked him to get down, but he stayed. I have not seen him since,” he said, breaking into tears. 
Another man, Awal Anwar, said his younger sister’s body had been recovered and kept at the hospital, while his nephew and grandson were still missing. 
Locals began rescue efforts immediately after the accident. One local rescuer said the vehicle appeared to have lost control, possibly due to brake failure. “At first, 11 people were rescued, including five women.”
In a statement, the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate said one unit from Goalanda Fire Station and a diving unit from Aricha Fire Station were working at the scene, with additional units from Dhaka and Faridpur heading there. The sunken bus has already been located. 
Around 8:30pm, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Shipping Kazi Arif Billah said Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority’s rescue vessel Hamza started operations. Divers were also working, but rain and strong winds were slowing down the rescue. 
Showhardo Paribahan’s Kumarkhali counter master Tanmoy Ahmed said around 50 people, including the driver and helper, were on board. At least 13 passengers from Kumarkhali and Khoksa upazilas in Kushtia are missing. 
He said the bus left the Kumarkhali municipal terminal at 2:30pm with six passengers. Later, seven passengers boarded from Khoksa, four from Machpara and 15 from Pangsha, totalling 50 in the 40-seat bus. “It seems the bus fell into the river after brake failure. Identities of many passengers are still unknown,” he added. 
Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident, saying it has created nationwide concern as many passengers remain missing. 
He urged quick rescue efforts and called on authorities to investigate the accident and ensure accountability for those responsible.