24 dead after bus falls into river while boarding ferry in Bangladesh

At least 24 people have died after a passenger bus carrying around 40 passengers plunged into the Padma River while attempting to board a ferry in Bangladesh, officials said on Thursday.

The accident occurred on Wednesday when the bus lost control approaching a ferry at Daulatdia in Rajbari district, about 100 km from Dhaka.

The bus overturned and sank nearly 9 metres into the river, according to police, the Fire Service, and Civil Defence.

Rescuers recovered 22 bodies from inside the submerged bus, Fire Service official Talha Bin Zasim said.

Twenty-four people have been confirmed dead so far, including two who died after being rescued, he said.

Four fire service units and 10 divers were leading the search and rescue efforts, supported by the army, police, coast guard, and local authorities.

Officials fear more passengers may still be missing. Hundreds of people die each year in road and ferry accidents in Bangladesh.