Bangladesh Bus Accident: 24 Dead as Vehicle Plunges into Padma River

AI Summary

A bus carrying 40 passengers lost control and plunged into the Padma River in central Bangladesh, resulting in at least 24 deaths. The accident occurred while the bus was waiting to board a ferry.

A devastating bus accident occurred in central Bangladesh on Wednesday, resulting in at least 24 fatalities. The bus, which was carrying 40 passengers, lost control while approaching a ferry at Daulatdia in Rajbari district, about 100km from Dhaka.

The bus sank nearly 9 metres into the river, making rescue efforts challenging. Rescuers recovered 22 bodies from inside the submerged bus, including five children, 11 women, and six men. Two more women died later after being rescued.

Search and rescue efforts were led by four fire service units and 10 divers, supported by the army, police, coastguard, and local authorities. Officials fear that more passengers may still be missing.

The accident highlights the poor road safety record in Bangladesh, where hundreds of people die each year in road and ferry accidents. The World Health Organization estimates that over 31,500 traffic-related deaths occur annually, translating to more than 85 deaths per day in the country of 170 million people.

Deadly crashes are relatively common in Bangladesh due to poor roads, badly maintained vehicles, and reckless driving. The country's Road Safety Foundation reported over 200 deaths during the recent Eid holidays, including a train-bus collision that killed 12 people.