At least 24 people were killed, including five children and eleven women, after a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River in central Bangladesh.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari district, approximately 100km from Dhaka. According to fire service officials, the bus was carrying 40 passengers and lost control while waiting to board a ferry, subsequently sinking nearly 30 feet into the river.
Rescuers recovered 22 bodies from the submerged vehicle, while two women succumbed to their injuries after being pulled from the water. Dramatic footage verified by Al Jazeera showed locals and emergency units, including the army and coast guard, using scarves and ropes to rescue survivors struggling in the water. Authorities fear the death toll could rise as some passengers remain missing.
This accident highlights the ongoing road safety crisis in Bangladesh, where poor vehicle maintenance and reckless driving claim thousands of lives annually; the Road Safety Foundation recently reported over 200 deaths during the Eid holiday period alone. ( Al Jazeera)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com