Tearful relatives gathered along the banks of the Padma at Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari on Wednesday evening, clinging to hope as rescue teams searched for survivors after a passenger bus plunged into the river.
The Dhaka-bound bus, operated by Souhardo Paribahan, fell from a pontoon while attempting to board a ferry around 5:15pm, according to officials and eyewitnesses.
Fire service officials said at least two people were confirmed dead and around 10 rescued alive, while more than 35 others remained missing late into the night.
The deceased were identified as Rehena Begum from Bhabanipur in Rajbari and Marzina Begum. Another passenger, Dr Nusrat, was undergoing treatment at Goalanda Upazila Health Complex in critical condition.
At the terminal, grief-stricken families waited for news, many of them calling out the names of loved ones as divers continued their search.
A passenger from Kushtia, who lost his wife and children in the accident, said he had asked them to stay home.
“I told them not to come,” he said. “But my wife insisted. Now, what am I supposed to do?”
Another survivor said he managed to swim ashore but watched his wife and child disappeared beneath the water as the bus sank.
Abdul Azizul, who boarded the bus from Kalukhali Upazila in Rajbari, said he also survived by swimming to safety. His wife and child remained missing.
The bus was carryin around 50 passengers when it attempted to board a ferry at pontoon number 3. Several passengers managed to escape moments after the accident but most were unable to get out before the vehicle submerged.
Monir Hossain, the ferry terminal supervisor, said the bus had been waiting to board after another ferry departed for Manikganj.
“At around 5:15pm, the utility ferry ‘Hasna Hena’ struck the pontoon,” he said. “The bus lost control and fell into the river.”
According to Md Maruf Hossain, health and family planning officer of Goalanda upazila, three people were taken to hospital after the accident. Two were declared dead on arrival.
Fire service officials said the bus was located about 30 feet below the surface, lodged beneath the pontoon. Damaged doors and windows made it difficult for divers to enter.
Rescue operations, led by teams from Goalanda and Aricha fire stations along with specialist divers, were slowed by heavy rain and strong winds. Additional diver units from Dhaka and Faridpur were on the way.
Although the rescue vessel Hamza reached the scene soon after the incident, full-scale operations were yet to begin by nightfall, drawing concern and frustration from waiting relatives.
Police, navy personnel and local administration officials, including the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police, were present at the site to oversee operations and maintain order.
As darkness fell over the river, families remained by the water’s edge—waiting, watching, and hoping for news that did not come.