RAJBARI, Mar 26 (V7N) – The death toll from the tragic bus accident at the Daulatdia ferry terminal has risen to 26 as of Thursday afternoon, following the recovery of several more bodies from the Padma River. The Fire Service and Civil Defence confirmed that the bodies of 23 victims have already been handed over to their grieving relatives, while the process for the remaining three is currently underway. The accident occurred at approximately 5:30 pm on Wednesday at Ferry Ghat No. 3, when a Dhaka-bound Sauhardya Paribahan bus lost control while attempting to board a ferry. The vehicle skidded off the pontoon and sank instantly into nearly 30 feet of water, trapping dozens of passengers inside.

According to eyewitnesses and terminal officials, the bus was carrying between 40 and 45 passengers at the time of the plunge. While some passengers had disembarked to wait on the terminal before the bus attempted to board, those remaining inside were caught in the sudden sinking. A massive rescue operation, involving the Fire Service, Navy, Coast Guard, and local police, was launched immediately. The salvage vessel "Hamza" successfully lifted the submerged bus after a grueling six-hour effort late Wednesday night. Following the retrieval of the vehicle, divers conducted a secondary search, recovering bodies in succession throughout the early hours of Independence Day.

In response to the disaster, the government has moved swiftly to investigate the cause of the fatal plunge. Two separate high-level investigation committees have been formed, led by the Additional District Magistrate of Rajbari and the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, respectively. Both committees have been mandated to submit their findings within three working days. Preliminary reports suggest that a collision between a utility ferry and the pontoon may have caused the bus to lose its balance. As a pall of gloom descends over the region on this national holiday, authorities have assured the public that any negligence found will be met with strict legal action.

END/SMA/AJ