DHAKA, Bangladesh — At least 18 people lost their lives when a passenger bus carrying approximately 50 individuals crashed into a major river in Bangladesh’s central region while attempting to board a ferry, officials reported Thursday.
The tragic incident took place Wednesday afternoon when the vehicle fell into the River Padma in Rajbari district, located roughly 52 miles from Bangladesh’s capital city of Dhaka, according to fire official Dewan Sohel Rana.
The vehicle was transporting passengers from Kushtia, a southwestern district, to the capital as people made their way back to work following the conclusion of Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic holiday celebration.
According to Rana, numerous passengers managed to escape by swimming to shore following the crash, while others became trapped inside the vehicle.
Emergency crews deployed a rescue boat late Wednesday evening to retrieve the submerged bus, and recovery teams continued working through the night to locate victims, discovering 18 bodies by Thursday morning, Rana reported.
Weather conditions including strong river currents and rainfall hampered rescue efforts during the overnight operation, he explained.
Officials have not confirmed whether additional passengers remain unaccounted for.
The Fire Service and Civil Defense Department confirmed that the casualties included ten women and two children among the 18 fatalities.
