A tragic bus accident at the Daulatdia ferry terminal on Wednesday afternoon claimed the lives of 27 people, while eight others were rescued alive, according to the district administration and Rajbari police.
A bus of Souhardya Paribahan, travelling from Kushtia to Dhaka, lost control while boarding a ferry at Daulatdia around 5:00 pm and plunged into the river.
After a rescue operation lasting around 20 hours, the local administration called off the operation, stating that no more bodies were found in the area. However, locals and relatives of the missing claim that at least five people are still missing.
The accident killed the driver and 26 passengers. Three injured persons are currently receiving treatment at Rajbari Sadar Hospital. The bodies of the victims have been recovered and handed over to their families, according to district authorities.
The victims have been identified as Rehena Akter (61), wife of late Ismail Hossain Khan of Bhabanipur, Lalmia Road, Rajbari Municipality; Marzina Khatun (56), wife of Abu Bakkar Siddiq of Mojompur, Kushtia Municipality; Rajib Biswas (28), son of Himangshu Biswas of Khagrabaria, Kushtia Sadar; Zohura Anti (27), daughter of late Dr Abdul Alim of Sajjankanda, Rajbari Municipality; Kazi Saif (30), son of Kazi Mukul of Sajjankanda, Rajbari Municipality; Marzina Akter (32), wife of Rezaul Karim of Char Barkipara, Goalanda, Rajbari; Israfel (3), son of Delwar Hossain of Dhushundu, Khoksa, Kushtia; and Safia Akter Rinthi (12), daughter of Rezaul Karim of Char Barkipara, Goalanda, Rajbari.
Others include Faiz Shahanur (11), son of Billal Hossain of Bhabanipur, Kalukhali, Rajbari; Tazbid (7), son of K.B.M. Musabbir of Sajjankanda, Rajbari Municipality; driver Arman Khan (31), son of Arab Khan of Paschim Khalkhola, Baliakandi, Rajbari; Najmira alias Jesmin (30), wife of Abdul Aziz of Belgachi, Kalukhali, Rajbari; Lima Akter (26), daughter of Sobahan Mondal of Ramchandrapur, Rajbari Sadar; Josnya (35), wife of Mannan Mondal of Boro Char Beninagar, Rajbari Sadar; Mukta Khanam (38), wife of late Jahangir Alam of Noadha, Kotalipara, Gopalganj; Nashima (40), wife of late Nur Islam of Mathuarai, Parbatipur, Dinajpur; Ayesha Akter Suma (30), wife of Md Nuruzzaman of Bagdhunia Palpara, Ashulia, Dhaka; Soha Akter (11), daughter of Sohel Molla of Rajbari Municipality; Ayesha Siddika (13), daughter of Giasuddin Ripon of Samsupur, Khoksa, Kushtia; Arman (7 months), son of Nuruzzaman of Khandakbaria, Shailkupa, Jhenaidah; Abdur Rahman (6), son of Abdul Aziz of Mahendrapur, Kalukhali, Rajbari; Sabit Hasan (8), son of Shariful Islam of Agmarai, Rajbari Sadar; Ahnaf Tahmid Khan (25), son of Ismail Hossain Khan of Bhabanipur, Rajbari Sadar; Ujjal, son of Majnu of Kalukhali, Rajbari; Ashraful, son of Afsar Mondal of Char Madapur, Kalukhali, Rajbari; and Jahangir Alam, son of Sanaullah of Kalukhali, Rajbari.
One unidentified body remains in the custody of the local administration.
The injured-Dr Nusrat (29) of Bhabanipur, Rajbari Municipality; Lita Khatun (40) of Kumarkhali, Kushtia; and Shiuli Khatun (42) of Bhabanipur, Kalukhali, Rajbari-are receiving treatment at Rajbari Sadar Hospital.
Following the recovery of the bodies, scenes of grief and mourning unfolded among family members, with relatives overwhelmed by sorrow. Funeral prayers and burials reflected the same heart-wrenching scenes. Residents said such a tragedy had never been witnessed before in Rajbari district.
A funeral prayer held at Rajbari Railway Grounds was attended by State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, along with Mawlana Sayeed Ahmed and Mawlana Abu Saeed Tayyebi. The prayer was led by Mawlana Md Elias Ali Molla, president of the Rajbari District Imam Committee.
The Shipping Ministry has formed a six-member investigation committee to probe into the incident in which a passenger bus fell down into the Padma River while boarding a ferry at Daulatdia Ferry Ghat in Rajbari, resulting in many casualties.
On March 26, 2026, Bangladesh's Road Transport, Bridges, and Shipping Minister, Shaikh Rabiul Alam, expressed deep shock and condolences over a fatal bus sinking incident at Daulatdia Ghat, which resulted in multiple deaths. The minister labeled the incident "heartbreaking" and confirmed the deployment of the rescue ship "Hamza".
