Dhaka, March 26 -- Rajib Sardar cannot clearly explain exactly how he escaped the sinking bus at the Daulatdia Ferry Terminal, but he recalls that a strong rush of water through a window helped him get out.

On Thursday, the 27-year-old recounted his near-death ordeal at Rajbari Sadar Hospital.

The Showhardo Paribahan bus, which sank in the Padma River on Wednesday, had left from Kushtia's Kumarkhali.

Rajib, a resident of Rajbari Sadar, had boarded the bus in Goalanda, intending to travel to Dhaka.

Describing that horrific moment, he said, "After falling, the bus went underwater, and I felt about 12 to 13 people falling on me."

Rajib tried to hold himself steady by gripping the bus window as panic spread inside.

"One person was stand...