A bus plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia ferry terminal on Friday morning, but no casualties were reported as passengers had already disembarked in line with safety regulations, officials said.
According to a statement, the Ministry of Shipping’s directive requires all passengers to get off vehicles before buses and other transport are loaded onto ferries. The protocol was being strictly enforced at the time of the incident, preventing any loss of life.
The SB Paribahan bus, en route from Kushtia to Dhaka, lost control while entering Ferry No 7 at the Daulatdia terminal. The vehicle reportedly entered through a convention pocket before breaking the opposite-side ramp of the ferry and falling into the Padma River.
Officials said all passengers had already disembarked before the loading process began, ensuring their safety.
Following the accident, rescue operations were launched immediately. A salvage vessel named Hamza of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) recovered the bus from the river.
The driver and assistant were rescued alive and taken to hospital for treatment.
Personnel from the Ministry of Shipping, BIWTA, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), River Police, Fire Service, Coast Guard, local administration and other law enforcement agencies jointly took part in the rescue operation.
Shipping Minister and State Minister closely monitored the operation and issued necessary directives to ensure a swift and coordinated response.
Authorities have urged strict adherence to ferry safety rules, including mandatory passenger disembarkation, use of designated lanes, and compliance with on-site instructions to prevent similar incidents in the future.