A passenger bus fell into the Padma River while waiting to board a ferry at Daulatdia Ghat in Rajbari on Wednesday evening.

Md. Monir Hossain, in charge of Daulatdia ferry ghat, said that at around 5:15 pm, a passenger bus of Showhardo Paribahan arrived at Ghat No. 3 in Daulatdia to cross the river.

At that time, a ferry at the ghat was leaving for Paturia in Manikganj with vehicles on board.

As the bus could not board it, it waited for another ferry. Shortly afterward, a utility (small) ferry named 'Hasna Hena' arrived at the ghat and hit the pontoon.

"Unable to withstand the impact, the bus on the pontoon fell into the Padma River," he said.

Monir Hossain also said that there were at least 40 passengers, including women and children, on the bus at the time. Although some passengers managed to get out, most remain trapped inside. Authorities informed BIWTA, BIWTC, and the Fire Service, and rescue operations have begun.

Mohammad Salah Uddin, Assistant General Manager of the BIWTC Daulatdia office, said that after receiving the news, they rushed to the ferry ghat and began rescue operations.

Trinath Saha, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Daulatdia River Police Outpost, said, "There is no situation to comment on at this time. I will be able to say something after the situation normalises."

Station Officer Talha bin Zashim of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters media cell said one unit from Goalanda Fire Station and one diving unit from Aricha Fire Station are carrying out rescue operations.

Two more diving units from Dhaka and Faridpur are on their way to the scene.

The Fire Service has located the bus. Efforts are underway to lift it with the assistance of BIWTA's rescue vessel "Hamza."