On Wednesday, March 25, a serious traffic accident occurred in the central region of Bangladesh. A small ferry violently crashed into a floating bridge as it reached the dock, causing a bus carrying dozens of passengers to lose control and plunge into a deep water area. At least 26 people are confirmed dead, with several others missing, and a large-scale rescue operation is still ongoing.
According to media reports, the accident took place around 5:15 p.m. local time on Wednesday at the ferry terminal in Rajbari District. A bus carrying approximately 40 passengers was waiting to board the next ferry at Daulatdia Ferry Terminal No. 3 when a small ferry named “Hasna Hena” accidentally hit the floating bridge, leading to the bus losing control and falling into the Padma River.
Witnesses said that due to the tremendous impact of the ferry collision, the bus flipped and plummeted into the river in front of everyone, leaving no time for on-site personnel to react.
Rescue teams immediately cordoned off the area upon receiving the report. A joint rescue team comprising military, coast guard, and fire department personnel swiftly engaged in underwater search and rescue operations, with local administrative leaders and police chiefs personally overseeing and coordinating the efforts on site.
The fire department stated that the vehicle sank to a depth of 70 to 80 feet (approximately 21 to 24 meters) shortly after falling into the water and was salvaged about 5 hours later. Heavy rainfall and swift water currents added to the difficulty of retrieving the bus and searching for the missing individuals.
Local media quoted police sources reporting that as of now, the accident has claimed the lives of 26 people, including 7 adult males, 11 adult females, and 8 children, with most of the deceased trapped inside the salvaged bus. Authorities anticipate that the death toll may rise further as the search and rescue operations progress.
The exact number of passengers on the vehicle at the time of the accident has not been confirmed by the authorities, but it is estimated to be more than 40 people. Witnesses and surviving passengers have mentioned that only a few managed to escape or be rescued by swimming after the accident.
It is understood that the fire department has dispatched additional experts from headquarters to provide further support. Investigations will focus on determining whether the ferry crash into the floating bridge was due to mechanical failure or human error, and inquiries into the responsibility of port safety management will also be conducted.