Metro rail depot opened for ambulances carrying victims of Milestone School jet crash

To expedite medical evacuations, ambulances transporting victims of the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Diabari are being allowed to use the metro rail depot.

The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) confirmed the arrangement in a media statement issued by its public relations office on Monday.

A metro rail compartment has been reserved to assist in transporting the injured, it added.

Vehicles from the metro rail’s transport pool have also been deployed near the Diabari Gol Chattar, adjacent to the school, to support the emergency response.

At least 19 people have died, while more than 50 students have suffered injuries and burns in the crash, reports bdnews24.com.

An F-7 BGI training jet crashed shortly after takeoff around 1:06pm on Monday, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The plane burst into flames right after the crash. A plume of thick smoke could be seen from quite a distance.

Eight Fire Service units rushed to the scene to put out the flames.

Shah Bulbul, a Milestone School and College spokesman, said: “The aircraft hit the gate of one of our academic buildings where classes were in session. Many were burned in the fire.”

Several victims were carried out on stretchers and taken away by ambulance.

Some were initially admitted to Uttara Crescent Hospital, Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital, and Kurmitola General Hospital.

Most burn victims were referred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery for specialised treatment.

Brig Gen Muhammad Zahed Kamal, director general of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, told reporters at the scene around 4:30pm that rescue workers had recovered 19 bodies from the rubble and that more than 50 injured and burnt people have been sent to hospitals.