Spanish
At least 18 people died after a bus with more than 40 passengers fell into the Padma River in Bangladesh while attempting to board a ferry at a river terminal.
The accident occurred when the vehicle lost control during the boarding maneuver, crashed into the structure, and ended up submerged about nine meters deep.
Rescue teams, along with the police, the army, and volunteers, worked intensely to recover the bus and search for possible missing persons, amidst difficult conditions due to the current and low visibility.
Seven people managed to get out of the water on their own, while most of the passengers were trapped inside the vehicle.
The authorities confirmed the recovery of 18 bodies, including men, women, and children, and warned that the figure could vary due to the uncertainty about the exact number of passengers.
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The incident has caused shock in the country and reignited the debate on safety in river transport, especially in areas with high congestion such as the Daulatdia terminal.
