23 Dead in Bangladesh Bus Plunge at Padma River

At least 23 people died and several others remain missing after a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River at a ferry terminal in Bangladesh's southwestern Rajbari district on Wednesday afternoon, officials reported.

The accident occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time at the Daulatdia terminal, where the Dhaka-bound bus was waiting on pontoon number 3 to board a ferry. According to transport supervisor Monir Hossain, the vehicle had arrived shortly after 5 p.m. but could not board an outgoing ferry carrying other vehicles to Paturia in Manikganj district. As the bus waited, a smaller utility ferry named Hasna Hena struck the pontoon with force, causing the driver to lose control. The bus then fell into the river, submerging quickly and trapping most passengers inside.

Police estimate the bus carried about 40 passengers, including several children, many of whom were returning to the capital after Eid holidays. Witnesses reported it may have picked up additional travelers along the route from Rajbari, a town roughly 128 kilometers southwest of Dhaka, potentially bringing the total to around 50. At least 11 passengers managed to swim to safety or were rescued shortly after the...