Bus falls into river while boarding ferry in Bangladesh, leaving 24 dead

• Bus overturned, sank nearly 30 feet into the river, say police.
• Officials fear more passengers may still be missing from river.
• Accidents claim hundreds of lives annually in Bangladesh.
  

DHAKA: At least 24 people 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 (62 miles) from Dhaka.

The bus overturned and sank nearly 30 feet into the river, according to police, the Fire Service, and Civil Defence.

Rescuers recovered 22 bodies from inside the submerged bus, including six men, 11 women, and five children, Fire Service official Talha Bin Zasim said.

Twenty-four people have been confirmed dead so far, including two women 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.