The death toll in a bus accident in Bangladesh’s Rajbari district has increased to 26. The tragic incident occurred when a bus packed with passengers fell into the Padma river while trying to board a ferry (big boat) at Daulatdiya Ghat. According to the fire service, 23 bodies were recovered from inside the bus, including 11 women, 8 men and 5 children. Additionally, 8 people were rescued alive, although 3 of them later died during treatment at the hospital. The search for many missing people is still going on. Meanwhile, the bodies of 22 victims have been handed over to their families.
PM Rahman ordered investigation
There were about 40 people in the bus. The accident occurred on Wednesday evening; At the time, initial reports said only two people were killed. In Bangladesh, ferries are used to transport buses and trains across rivers; These ships are like big boats or ships. Prime Minister Tariq Rahman took stock of the rescue operations and ordered an investigation into the incident.
Four teams of fire service involved in the rescue operation
Four fire service teams and 10 divers were involved in the rescue operation. They worked closely with the Army, Police, Coast Guard, BIWTC and local administrative officials. Of the total 25 dead, 22 bodies were recovered by the fire service, 2 people were rescued by locals but later died, and 1 body was recovered by naval divers. Most of the dead have been identified, including women, men and small children. After the accident, the administration has formed a five-member committee to investigate. The committee is headed by Additional District Magistrate Uchen Mey and includes officials from police, fire service and other relevant departments. The committee has been directed to submit its report within three days.
Bus recovered after six hours
With the help of a ship named ‘Hamza’, the rescue team successfully pulled out the bus around midnight; It was a difficult operation that lasted for about six hours. Divers from the fire service and coast guard, with the help of the army and police, are searching for the missing. Officials said the bus was going to Dhaka. Many passengers on the bus—including children—were returning to the capital after the Eid holidays were over. According to eyewitnesses, many people traveling in the bus belonged to the same family. Some people survived because they were standing outside, while their relatives remained trapped inside the bus.