United News of Bangladesh

The death toll from the tragic military aircraft crash into Milestone School and College in Uttara has risen to 34 with the death of a 14-year-old boy at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery on Monday. The deceased was identified as Shaheel Faravi Ayan, who sustained 40 percent burn injuries in the jet crash. Ayan breathed his last at the hospital around 1:45 am, said Shaon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon of the institute. Health Ministry revises death toll from Milestone jet crash to 33 The Health Ministry on Sunday revised the death toll from the tragic military aircraft crash into Milestone School and College in Uttara to 33. According to the Health Ministry report, as of 4 pm on Sunday, a total of 33 people died in the crash while 46 others are still being treated at various hospitals in Dhaka--33 at the Burn Institute. The fatal crash occurred on Monday afternoon (July 21), shortly after an FT-7 BGI fighter jet took off from the Kurmitola Airbase, sparking a massive blaze that claimed multiple lives, most of them children. Milestone authorities form committee over aircraft crash

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus visited the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery on Saturday night to enquire about the treatment of those injured in the recent plane crash into Milestone School and College. He reached the hospital at 9:10 pm and was briefed by the institute's director, Professor Mohammad Nasir Uddin, about the incident and the present condition of the patients. Professor Nasir told the Chief Adviser that the injured patients are receiving treatment as per the advice of a multidisciplinary consultation board. He said the patients’ conditions are being assessed following international medical standards, and both local and foreign specialists are involved to make sure they get the best care. At present, Professor Nasir informed the Chief Adviser the hospital is treating four patients in critical condition, nine in serious condition and 23 in moderate condition. Govt committed to highest standard of care for plane crash victims: Health Adviser He also mentioned that these numbers might change depending on how the patients respond to treatment. The Chief Adviser asked the hospital director if there is any shortage of equipment, medicine, or other medical supplies. The director assured him that all necessary items for treatment are being provided by the government. “A few extra items were brought in by a team of doctors from Singapore,” he told Prof Yunus. When the Chief Adviser asked for more details about the incident, his Special Assistant, Prof Md Sayedur Rahman, explained that the injured were first taken to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. After getting initial care, he said they were quickly shifted to the Burn Institute and the Combined Military Hospital (CMH). China assures continued medical support to Bangladesh Prof Sayedur said the Health Ministry had asked the Burn Institute to stay ready, and all doctors, nurses, and staff were well prepared. “They were able to treat around 30 burn victims as soon as they arrived at the emergency section.” He also said in the beginning, there was some confusion about the number of injured and deceased because patients were taken to nearly 10 different hospitals. “Some of the deceased could only be identified through DNA testing, which took some time.” While shifting patients, Prof Sayedur said the lack of ambulances was a big challenge. “This tragic incident has shown some clear weaknesses in the country’s emergency healthcare system.” The Chief Adviser instructed the authorities concerned to send clear and specific suggestions on what should be done next, and he promised that quick action would be taken. He also stressed the need for mental health support and trauma counselling for the injured and the families of the victims. Prof Yunus advised including mental health experts and making sure that all victims, their families, and everyone connected with Milestone School get proper support. He also asked the hospital director to ensure that the relatives of burn patients are taken care of during their time at the hospital. Milestone tragedy: Death toll now stands at 35 “We are sincere and determined to ensure the best treatment for the patients,” he said. The Chief Adviser gave heartfelt thanks to all the doctors, nurses and healthcare staff working tirelessly in different hospitals to treat the injured. He also thanked the international medical teams who came forward to support Bangladesh during this difficult time. Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum was also present during the Chief Adviser’s hospital visit.  

The Council of Advisers in its meeting on Thursday decided to extend full government support to the families of those lost their lives and for the treatment of those suffered injured in the recent jet crash at Uttara.  The meeting, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, also decided to confer state honour on two teachers of Milestone School and College who sacrificed their lives to save children. New Pay Commission formed for govt employees Regarding government support to the families of the victims, the Ministry of Education has been tasked with consulting Milestone School and College authorities to determine the appropriate steps moving forward. The meeting of the Council of Advisers was held at the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO). Chief Adviser’s Press Wing shared the outcome of the meeting.  At the beginning of the meeting, the Council of Advisers adopted a condolence motion in memory of those who lost their lives in the crash.  A one-minute silence was observed, followed by prayers seeking eternal peace for the departed souls. The meeting decided that special prayers will be offered at all religious institutions across the country on Friday seeking forgiveness for the deceased and a speedy recovery for the injured.  The Ministry of Religious Affairs will coordinate the initiative.

Education Adviser CR Abrar on Wednesday said there was no deviation in the activities of the Education Ministry in taking decisions following the jet crash into Milestone School and College in Uttara, and he has no intention of resigning on his own. “I have no intention to resign on my own. I don’t believe there was any lapse in my duties. Even then, if it is considered that there was deviation, I will leave if asked. There is nothing for me to cling to or justify myself,” Abrar told reporters at the Secretariat in response to a question. On Tuesday, students staged demonstrations in front of the Bangladesh Secretariat and they later forcefully entered its premises demanding resignation of the education adviser and secretary. The Education Secretary has already been removed. Suspended HSC exams of July 22, 24 to be held on same day: Education Adviser Asked about the government’s stance on the demand for his resignation, Abrar said, “That’s for the government to decide. I am trying to fulfill the responsibilities assigned to me.” When questioned whether he should remain in his position after such mismanagement in suspending the exam, he responded, “It seems you are already delivering the verdict. There hasn’t been any mismanagement. That’s what I’ve been trying to explain.”

Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam of the Bangladesh Air Force, who lost his life in the fighter jet crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara, was laid to eternal rest in Sapura area of Rajshahi city on Tuesday afternoon. Towkir’s second namaz-e-janaza was held at Rajshahi Uposhohor Eidgah Maidan in the afternoon. Earlier, the body of Towkir was flown to Rajshahi by a helicopter from Dhaka in the morning, said Rafiqul Islam, maternal uncle of Towkir. A sombre atmosphere prevailed throughout Rajshahi city following the loss of its son. Relatives, friends, and well-wishers gathered at his rented home early in the morning to pay their last respects and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul. MCCI mourns loss of lives in Milestone aircraft crash tragedy The district administration, along with various socio-cultural organisations, organised special prayer services in his memory. At least 31 people including pilot Towkir were killed and 165 others injured when the fighter jet tragically crashed into a two-storey building of Milestone School and College in the Diabari area of Dhaka on Monday afternoon. Towkir’s family was flown to Dhaka from Rajshahi in a special military aircraft around 5:30 pm, arranged by the Air Force. His first namaz-e-janaza was held in Dhaka. According to an ISPP release issued on Monday, Towkir Islam, made his highest effort to take the aircraft toward a less populated area to minimise civilian casualties and damage. However, the jet tragically crashed into a two-storey building of Milestone School and College in the Diabari area of Dhaka. The Bangladesh Air Force FT-7 BGI fighter jet crashed on Monday at 1:06 pm shortly after take-off from BAF Base in Kurmitola, Dhaka, as part of a routine training exercise. The aircraft reportedly experienced a technical malfunction, the details of which will be determined through an official investigation, it said.

The government on Tuesday strongly dismissed the allegations that information over casualties in the Uttara Milestone School and College plane crash is being concealed, terming such claims as incorrect.  The government along with the Bangladesh Army, school authorities and hospital authorities is working to provide accurate and timely updates regarding those killed or injured in the tragic incident, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing shared it in a Facebook post on Tuesday. The government is extending full support to the victims of the aircraft crash at Milestone School and College, it said. Authorities are verifying the identities of the deceased and compiling an official list. DNA tests are being conducted to confirm identities for bodies that remain unidentified. Maximum medical care is being ensured for the injured admitted to several hospitals in Dhaka, reads the statement. Milestone tragedy: Death toll rises to 27, 78 injured receiving treatment People have been urged to contact the school’s control room immediately if any known person remains missing. Records and registry logs are being reviewed to verify any unaccounted-for persons. At a briefing at 8am on Tuesday at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Dr Sayedur Rahman said the death toll from the jet crash has risen to 27, with 78 others still receiving treatment at various hospitals. He said 20 bodies have so far been handed over to families.