At least 24 people were killed after a bus carrying dozens fell into the Padma River in Bangladesh, authorities said. The bus was en route from a southwestern district toward the capital, Dhaka, and plunged into the river while attempting to board a ferry, still tens of miles from Dhaka. Police and the Fire Service and Civil Defence said the vehicle overturned and sank nearly 30 feet (9 meters) into the water.
Officials said the bus was carrying about 40 to 50 passengers, many returning to work after the Eid festivities. Eyewitnesses reported the vehicle slipped off a ferry. Some passengers managed to swim to shore, but others were trapped and drowned, according to fire official Dewan Sohel Rana.
Rescue operations involved four fire service units and 10 divers, backed by the army, police, coast guard and local authorities. A rescue vessel joined late Wednesday to help lift the submerged bus. Strong currents and overnight rain complicated the search and recovery efforts.
Fire official Talha Bin Zasim said 22 bodies were recovered from inside the bus — six men, 11 women and five children — and two women later died after being rescued, bringing the confirmed death toll to 24. Local media quoted officials putting the toll at 26, and authorities warned others may still be missing.
A five-member committee has been formed to investigate the cause of the incident. Road and ferry accidents are common in Bangladesh, where hundreds of people die each year in similar crashes.