Dozens are people are feared dead after a packed bus plunged 30ft into the Padma river in Rajbari's Goalanda upazila in Bangladesh. Rescuers recovered eighteen bodies, according to Rajbari Fire Service and Civil Defence officials.

Two bodies were initially recovered, according to Deputy Assistant Director of Rajbari Fire Service and Civil Defence, Dewan Sohel Rana, and a further 16 were recovered when rescue vessel Hamza lifted the submerged bus. The Fire Services and Civil Defence media wing said there were four men, ten women and two children among the dead. Resident Medical Officer of Daulatdia Upazila Health Complex, Dr Md Shariful Islam identified two of the deceased as Marjina Begum, 55 and Rehena Begum, 60. According to police, 11 passengers were able to swim to safety. One woman, who is a doctor at a private hospital in Dhaka, received treatment.

THIS IS A BREAKING STORY. MORE TO FOLLOW...