Several people swam to shore after the accident, but most of the passengers drowned in the river.
Locals gathered at the pier as rescue efforts began. Members of the fire service and police reached the scene shortly after the incident.
Dewan Sohel Rana, deputy assistant director of the Rajbari Fire Service, said a Sauhardyo Paribahan passenger bus lost control while boarding a ferry and plunged into the river.
“Our diving teams are coming from Paturia and Aricha ghats. They will take part in the rescue operation,” he said.
