At least 23 people have died and several others are missing after a bus plunged into a river in Bangladesh.
The accident happened on Wednesday evening at the Dauladia ferry terminal in Rajbari district. The bus, heading to Dhaka, was carrying about 40 passengers when it fell into the Padma River.
Rescue teams worked for hours before lifting the bus late at night.
“(Salvage vessel) Hamza retrieved the bus with its cranes and 14 bodies were found inside,” fire service official Sohel Rana said.
He added that two bodies were recovered earlier by divers, while more victims were found after the bus was pulled out around midnight.
Search efforts are still ongoing, with divers, police and the military looking for those still missing.
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Police inspector Russel Mollah said the death toll could rise.
“We have recovered 23 dead bodies so far. There may be some still missing, and a few people survived,” he said.
He added that rescue work slowed overnight due to darkness but would continue.
Officials said some passengers managed to escape, with about 11 people swimming to safety or being rescued.
The accident happened as the bus was trying to board a ferry.
“When the bus was heading towards the ferry from the pontoon, another smaller utility ferry hit the pontoon. It plunged into the river as the bus driver lost control,” terminal supervisor Monir Hossain said.
“Right before our eyes, the bus fell into the river, but we could do nothing,” he added.
Authorities have ordered an investigation as search operations continue.