Rescuers have recovered 18 bodies after a passenger bus plunged into the Padma River at Daulatdia Ghat in Goalanda Upazila on Wednesday afternoon.

Two of the deceased were identified as Rehena Akhter and Morjina Begum.

The identities of the remaining victims could not be confirmed immediately, as the bodies were recovered between 11:30 pm and 2:00 am.

The deceased include four men, ten women, and two children.

Three injured passengers were rescued. Of them, two are currently undergoing treatment at Daulatdia Upazila Health Complex, while another is receiving treatment at home, UNB correspondents reported from the scene.

Meanwhile, the ill-fated submerged bus has been lifted by the rescue vessel Hamza.

Tanmoy Ahmed, counter master of Showhardo Paribahan, said the bus departed Kushtia's Kumarkhali around 2:30 pm with eight passengers.

“Along the route, seven more boarded at Khoksa, four at Machpara, and fifteen at Pangsha,” he said.

According to him, there were a total of 50 passengers in the 40-seater bus, including the driver and helper.

The bus arrived at Ghat No. 3 in Daulatdia around 5:15 pm and was waiting for a ferry.

Md Monir Hossain, in charge of the ghat, said a utility ferry named Hasna Hena suddenly hit the pontoon.

“Unable to withstand the impact, the bus on the pontoon fell into the Padma River,” he said.

Monir Hossain added that some passengers, however, managed to escape and swim to safety.