Dhaka, March 25 Two people died when a bus carrying at least 40 people plunged into a river in Bangladesh as it attempted to board a transport ferry on Wednesday, with officials saying that many passengers are suspected to be missing.
The accident occurred in southwestern Rajbari at the Dauladia terminal when the bus fell into the Padma River at around 5:15 pm, officials said.
"According to our initial information, the bus, which was heading towards Dhaka, was carrying 40 passengers when it plunged into the river while attempting to board a ferry at the (Dauladia) terminal," a police official at the scene told reporters.
Private Somoy TV reported that divers have so far recovered the bodies of two women from the bus, as efforts continue to retrieve more.
Daulatdia River Police Outpost's in-charge Trinath Saha added that some passengers managed to swim ashore or were rescued, but most others remained missing as a rescue operation was launched. He did not provide any specific numbers.
Ferry terminal officials and witnesses said that the bus fell into the Padma River at around 5:15 pm.
"When the bus was heading towards the ferry from the pier, another smaller utility ferry collided with the pier. The bus driver lost control of the steering, and the bus plunged into the river," the terminal's supervisor Monir Hossain said.
Ferry terminal officials said that the depth of the river where the bus fell is about 30 feet.
Fire service divers launched a rescue campaign immediately, and a salvage vessel also arrived at the scene later, even as the bus was completely submerged after a few hours.
Fire service official at Rajbari, Dewan Sohel Rana said that more divers were called out from two other terminals on the other side of the river, as television reports also said that rescuers were sent to the spot from Dhaka.