Bus plunges deep into Padma while boarding Daulatdia ferry

A bus with over 40 passengers aboard plunged into the Padma River while boarding Daulatdia ferry in Rajbari district on Wednesday afternoon, stoking fear of numerous casualties.
Police and witnesses said 17 of the passengers could swim to safety while the bus went under with the rest.
Latest reports say bodies of two women were recovered as the bus-salvage operation by combined forces continued.
The deceased were identified as Rehena Begum, 60, and Marjina Begum, 55, said Resident Medical Officer of Goalanda Upazila Health Complex Dr Md Shariful Islam.
"Two women were brought dead, while another injured passenger -- reported to be a doctor at Square Hospital in Dhaka -- is undergoing treatment," said Maruf Hasan, a physician at Daulatdia Upazila Health Complex.
The accident occurred around 5:30pm at pontoon No. 3 when a bus of Souharda Paribahan skidded off into the river while boarding a ferry, according to witnesses. The bus had left Rajbari for Dhaka at around 2:10 pm.
Fire Service officials said diving teams were "immediately deployed to rescue passengers trapped inside the vehicle, with additional teams sent from Dhaka to assist the operation".
So far, 17 passengers have been rescued alive while fears remain that more people may still be missing, as the exact number of passengers on board could not be confirmed.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) and fire service units launched joint rescue efforts shortly after the incident. Divers from Paturia and Aricha ghats joined the operation, alongside police, army, naval police, and fire- service personnel.
"The sunken bus has been located, and rescue vessel Hamza is attempting to pull it up, though adverse weather conditions have delayed operations," said Dewan Sohel Rana, deputy assistant director of Rajbari Fire Service.
Superintendent of Police in Rajbari Mohammad Monjur Morshed said they were aware of the incident but had not yet received detailed casualty reports.
A BIWTC official said rescue operations were ongoing, adding that additional teams had been dispatched from Dhaka, Aricha and Manikganj to intensify efforts.
Referring to a rescued passenger, fire-service officials said at least 40 passengers were on board at the time of the accident.
Officials, including the district commissioner and Goalanda upazila executive officer, were present at the site where a pall gloom descended.
Rescue efforts were ongoing at the time of filing this report around 9:50 pm, amid concerns about further casualties.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com