Passengers Disembark Early, Preventing Casualties
Photo: Agamir Somoy
A major tragedy was narrowly avoided as passengers had already disembarked before a bus plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari.
Just two and a half months after a bus sinking incident at the same terminal that killed 26 people and shocked the nation, another accident occurred at the location. However, this time all 37 passengers on board were safely rescued.
The incident took place around 9:30 am today (Friday) at Ferry Ghat No. 7 in Daulatdia. The bus fell into the river while attempting to board the ferry, but no casualties were reported as passengers had already gotten off at the terminal.
According to sources, the bus of SB Super Deluxe Paribahan, coming from Kushtia, was trying to board the “Bir Shreshtha Jahangir” ferry. At that moment, it lost control, collided heavily with a ferry ramp, and then plunged into the Padma River.
Eyewitnesses said panic spread across the terminal within moments. For a few seconds, the scene brought back memories of the deadly March 25 accident, when a bus from Showhardo Paribahan fell into the Padma River, killing 26 passengers.
Barik Sheikh, the caretaker of SB Super Deluxe Paribahan at Daulatdia ghat, said that there were 37 passengers on the bus. After arriving at the ghat, all passengers got off. The bus fell into the river while attempting to board the ferry. The driver and his assistant were inside the bus at the time. They were rescued and sent to the Goyalanda Upazila Health Complex.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sathi Das said that there is no information about anyone missing, and no one has made such a claim. The bus driver, helper, and supervisor were rescued and sent to the hospital.
