A horrific accident unfolded at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari, Bangladesh, on Wednesday evening when a passenger bus veered off the pontoon and plunged into the Padma River. The bus, belonging to ‘Souhardya Paribahan,’ was reportedly carrying around 50 passengers on its way to Dhaka from Kushtia. While a few managed to swim to safety, dozens are feared trapped inside the submerged vehicle.

The incident occurred around 5:15 PM at terminal number 3. According to eye-witnesses, the bus was stationed on the pontoon, waiting to board a ferry. Suddenly, a small utility ferry named ‘Hasna Hena’ collided forcefully with the pontoon, causing the bus to lose its balance and slide into the deep waters. Reports suggest the bus is currently lying approximately 30 feet underwater.

Emergency services, including divers from the Fire Service and Civil Defense, have launched a massive search and rescue operation. Additional teams from Dhaka have also been dispatched to the site. However, the strong currents of the Padma and the depth of the river are posing significant challenges to the rescue efforts. While the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed, the local administration has initiated a probe to determine the precise cause of this devastating mishap.