Tragedy Strikes as Bus Plunges into Padma River, Claiming Lives
A harrowing incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon at Daulatdia Ghat in Goalanda Upazila, when a passenger bus veered off a pontoon and plunged into the mighty Padma River. Rescue efforts, which commenced immediately after the disaster, have so far recovered 18 bodies. The tragic event has sent shockwaves through the community, with investigations into the precise cause of the accident now underway.
The grim recovery operation, which spanned several hours, saw the bodies being pulled from the river between 11:30 pm and 2:00 am. Among the identified victims are Rehena Akhter and Morjina Begum. The identities of the remaining 16 individuals could not be immediately confirmed due to the late hour of their recovery and the circumstances of the submersion.
Preliminary reports indicate a somber breakdown of the deceased: four men, ten women, and two children. This composition highlights the devastating impact of the accident on families and the wider community.
In addition to the fatalities, three passengers were successfully rescued from the treacherous waters. Two of these survivors are currently receiving medical attention at the Daulatdia Upazila Health Complex, while the third is being treated at home. Their accounts will be crucial in piecing together the sequence of events leading to the catastrophic plunge.
The submerged bus, a 40-seater vehicle operated by Showhardo Paribahan, has since been retrieved from the riverbed by the rescue vessel Hamza. Its recovery marks a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation and provides a tangible focus for forensic examination.
Information gathered from Tanmoy Ahmed, counter master of Showhardo Paribahan, offers a glimpse into the bus’s journey. The vehicle had departed from Kumarkhali in Kushtia around 2:30 pm, initially carrying eight passengers. As the journey progressed, additional passengers boarded at various points: seven at Khoksa, four at Machpara, and fifteen at Pangsha. This suggests a significant number of individuals were on board, exceeding the bus’s intended capacity.
Ahmed stated that the total number of passengers, including the driver and helper, was approximately 50. The bus arrived at Ghat No. 3 in Daulatdia around 5:15 pm, where it was awaiting its turn to board a ferry.
The immediate cause of the plunge, according to Md Monir Hossain, who is in charge of the ghat, appears to have been a collision. He reported that a utility ferry named Hasna Hena unexpectedly struck the pontoon. The force of this impact, Hossain explained, was so severe that the bus, which was positioned on the pontoon at the time, was unable to maintain its stability and consequently fell into the Padma River.
Hossain also noted that a number of passengers managed to react quickly to the unfolding disaster. Some were able to escape the sinking vehicle and swim to safety, a testament to their presence of mind and the immediate proximity of the riverbank.
The incident has raised serious questions about the safety protocols at ferry terminals and the operational procedures of both ferry services and bus operators. Authorities are expected to launch a thorough investigation into the structural integrity of the pontoon, the docking procedures, and the collision itself. The findings of this inquiry will be critical in preventing similar tragedies in the future and ensuring the safety of commuters who rely on these vital transportation links. The community now waits for answers and for the full extent of the loss to be accounted for.
