Staff Correspondent

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman have instructed party leaders and activists across the country to stand by the families of the students killed and injured in the tragic plane crash at Milestone School and College in the capital’s Uttara area.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir conveyed the directive during his visit to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery on Monday, where many of the injured students are currently undergoing treatment.

“I have come here on the instructions of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman,” Fakhrul told reporters after speaking with doctors.

“I’ve learned about the condition of the injured children directly from the medical team. Our party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been deeply concerned since the incident took place. I have briefed both her and the Acting Chairman on the latest situation," he said.

Fakhrul also said the BNP top leadership has directed party workers and leaders to rush to hospitals treating the victims and assist the families in every possible way.

“Madam (Khaleda) and the acting chairman have asked us to ensure that BNP leaders and activists are present at the hospitals, and that there is no shortage of blood for the injured. We have conveyed these instructions to the party units,” he said.

They also expressed profound shock and sorrow over the tragic loss of lives in the plane crash.

Regarding the medical situation, Fakhrul said, “I spoke to one of the doctors treating the victims. There are 52 patients here, and more than half of them are in critical condition. Many have suffered severe burns, including damage to their respiratory tract.”

“We pray to Allah for the quick recovery of the injured and express our deepest condolences to the families who lost their children,” he added.

Meanwhile, following the instructions of the Acting Chairman, the party’s Health Affairs Secretary, Dr. Rafiqul Islam, along with a rescue team and an ambulance fleet, rushed to the plane crash site at Milestone School in Uttara and took part in the rescue operations.

According to the BNP central office, members of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), Nurses Association, Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Chhatra Dal, and other affiliated organisations also mobilized volunteer teams in Uttara to assist in rescue and relief efforts.

The devastating crash earlier in the day killed at least 20 people and left more than 171 others injured.