Photo : Collected

DHAKA, March 26, 2026 (BSS) - At least 18 bodies have been recovered after a passenger bus of Sauhardya Paribahan plunged into the Padma River while boarding a ferry in Goalanda on Wednesday evening, as rescue operations continue amid fears of more casualties.

The deadly accident occurred around 5:20 pm on Wednesday when the Dhaka-bound bus from Kumarkhali of Kushtia lost control and fell into the Padma river at the Goalanda ferry terminal. 

According to Fire Service officials, the vehicle sank to a depth of nearly 30 feet shortly after plunging into the water.

Rescue teams have so far recovered a total of 18 bodies, fire service confirmed.

Of them, 16 bodies-including 4 men, 10 women, and 2 children-were recovered by Fire Service personnel, while local residents retrieved two additional bodies from the river.

Emergency response teams from Fire Service and Civil Defence, including one unit from Goalanda Station and a diving unit from Aricha, are actively conducting rescue operations at the scene. 

Two more diving units from Dhaka and Faridpur have also been deployed to intensify the search.

The bus was lifted using the rescue vessel "Hamza," operated by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).

According to eyewitnesses and surviving passengers, approximately five to seven people managed to escape from the bus immediately after the accident.

Authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of passengers on board at the time of the accident. 

Rescue operations are ongoing.

Officials said further details regarding casualties and the cause of the incident will be released after the completion of rescue efforts.

Rajbari Deputy Commissioner Sultana Akhter told reporters at the scene that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called to inquire about the incident of the bus sinking. 

She said that necessary measures should be taken quickly. 

At the same time, she was asked to inform Tarique Rahman.

The Deputy Commissioner said that the work of forming a high-level investigation committee into the accident is underway.

The committee will include representatives of the district administration, BIWTA, BIWTC, and police.