At least 26 bodies were recovered after a passenger bus lost control and sank in the Padma River at Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari district, with rescue workers continuing efforts by Thursday morning.

The bus, operated by Sauhardya Paribahan, was attempting to board a pontoon at the No. 3 jetty on Wednesday afternoon when it veered off and submerged. Officials said 52 passengers were on board, according to ticket counter records. Some escaped but most remained trapped inside.

Fire service, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and other rescue teams recovered 26 bodies so far, of them 11 were women, seven men and five children.

District administration officials said 25 bodies had been handed over to families by Thursday morning, one was kept at Rajbari Sadar Hospital morgue and one was brought to Rajbari later.

Rajbari deputy commissioner Sultana Akhter said all 26 had been identified. Sixteen of the dead were from Rajbari, four from Kushtia, and one each from Jhenaidah, Gopalganj, Ashulia and Dinajpur.

Authorities formed two investigation committees tasked with submitting reports within three working days.

The district administration said it would provide government assistance to the families of the deceased.

Relatives continued to search the riverbank for others still missing.