Last Updated on March 27, 2026 12:49 am by INDIAN AWAAZ
Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
The Government has formed a six-member investigation committee to probe into the incident in which a passenger bus fell down into the Padma River while boarding a ferry at Daulatdia Ferry Ghat in Rajbari, resulting in many casualties.
The committee will determine the actual cause of the incident and identify those responsible for the tragic accident.
Additional Secretary of the ministry Md. Muhidul Islam is the convener of the committee and other members are- representatives of Deputy Commissioner of Rajbari, River Police, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) and Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence, a PID handout said.
At least 24 bodies had been recovered till 10 AM on Thursday after a passenger bus carrying around 40 to 45 people plunged into the Padma river at Daulatdia ferry terminal in Bangladesh’s Rajbari district, prompting authorities to set up a five-member high-level investigation committee.
The accident took place around 5.15pm on Wednesday in front of terminal number 3 at Daulatdia in Goaland upazila when a Dhaka-bound bus operated by Souhardo Paribahan, which had started from Kumar Khali in Kushtia, fell into the river while waiting to board a ferry.
In a message, the Fire Service said a passenger bus had fallen into the Padma while boarding a ferry. It said a diving team was working at the spot and more divers were being sent from Dhaka headquarters.
Monir Hossain, transport terminal supervisor in charge at Daulatdia ferry terminal, said the bus had reached terminal number 3 shortly after 5pm. A ferry had just left for Paturia in Manikganj with vehicles on board, and the bus was waiting for the next one. He said that around 5.15pm, a small utility ferry named Hasna Hena hit the pontoon heavily, causing the bus to lose balance and fall into the river.
Describing the incident, Monir Hossain said, “The bus fell into the Padma River right in front of our eyes, yet we couldn’t do anything. At that time, there were at least 40 passengers, including women and children, on the bus. Although a few passengers were able to get out, most remained trapped inside the bus.”
Assistant commissioner and executive magistrate of the Rajbari deputy commissioner’s office, Hafizur Rahman, confirmed that 24 bodies had been recovered so far. Of them, 21 have been handed over to their families, while the bodies of the driver and two others have been kept at Rajbari Sadar Hospital.
The Rajbari district administration formed a five-member high-level investigation committee late on Wednesday night. Hafizur Rahman, additional district magistrate, was appointed convenor. The other members are the additional superintendent of police (Crime and OPS), assistant general manager of BIWTC’s Daulatdia office, deputy director of Rajbari Fire Service and Civil Defence, and the upazila nirbahi officer of Goaland.
The committee has been asked to submit its report to the deputy commissioner within three working days.
The district administration also announced an initial compensation of Tk 25,000 each for the families of those killed.