Staff Reporter:
The death toll from the bus that plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia ferry ghat in Rajbari has risen to 26, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The deceased include 11 women, eight children and seven men. Of the victims, 23 bodies have already been handed over to their families.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) in Rajbari, Tapas Kumar Pal, confirmed the information on Thursday morning.
The accident occurred at around 5:15pm on Wednesday when a Dhaka-bound passenger bus lost control and fell into the river from the pontoon No. 3 at Daulatdia ghat. The bus had started its journey from Kumarkhali in Kushtia with only six passengers, but additional passengers boarded along the way. Counter officials said there were at least 50 passengers on board at the time of the accident.
Several passengers, however, managed to escape immediately after the accident.
Rescue operations were launched shortly after the incident, with members of the Fire Service and other relevant agencies.
Rajbari Deputy Commissioner Sultana Akter told reporters that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had called to inquire about the situation and instructed authorities to take swift action and keep him informed.
She added that steps were underway to form a high-level probe committee comprising representatives from the district administration, BIWTA, BIWTC and the police to investigate the incident.
