Deadly Bus Plunge in Bangladesh's Padma River: 24 Confirmed Dead

A bus carrying 40 passengers plunged into the Padma River in central Bangladesh, resulting in the deaths of at least 24 people. The incident occurred on Wednesday at Daulatdia in Rajbari district, approximately 100km (62 miles) from Dhaka.

Incident Details

The bus lost control as it was approaching a ferry to board. It sank to a depth of nearly 9 meters (30 feet).

An eyewitness stated the bus was waiting to board a ferry when it fell into the river.

Footage verified by Al Jazeera showed the bus toppling into the river, with individuals engaged in rescue efforts to assist passengers in the water.

Casualties and Recovery Efforts

Rescue teams recovered 22 bodies from the submerged vehicle, including five children, 11 women, and six men.

Two additional women died after being rescued, bringing the total confirmed fatalities to 24, according to fire service official Talha Bin Qasim.

Extensive Rescue Operations

Search and rescue operations were led by four fire service units and 10 divers, supported by the army, police, coastguard, and local authorities. Officials indicated that more passengers might still be missing.

A Pattern of Accidents

Bangladesh frequently experiences fatal road and ferry accidents due to factors such as poor road conditions, inadequately maintained vehicles, and reckless driving. The country's Road Safety Foundation reported over 200 deaths during recent Eid holidays, including an incident where a train struck a bus, killing 12.

Underreported Fatalities

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that while around 5,000 traffic-related deaths are reported annually, the actual number is likely much higher, exceeding 31,500 in 2023. This averages to more than 85 daily fatalities in the nation of 170 million people.