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The National Citizen Party has directed its “youth” and “medical” wings to provide emergency aid to those injured in the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Diabari.
Nahid Islam, the party’s convener, issued the order on Monday and expressed “deep shock and concern” over the casualties, reports bdnews24.com.
A post on the NCP’s official Facebook group said Nahid instructed party leaders and activists from all sectors to assist in the rescue operations, support the injured with medical care, and coordinate with relevant authorities.
The party said that a medical team led by Dhaka Medical College Hospital and National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery physician Dr Abdul Ahad was already at work at the crash site.
According to the statement, other members of the team include Md Abdul Ahad, NCP joint chief coordinator, Khan Muhammad Mursalin, joint chief coordinator of the media cell, Dr Mahmuda Alam Mitu, coordinator of the health wing, and doctors Md Yusuf Jamil Tihan, Monir Hossain, Maruful Islam, and Sabbir Ahmed.
More than 50 students have been admitted to several hospitals, including the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
Doctors said most of them suffered burn injuries.
The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate said the Air Force’s F-7 BGI training jet crashed shortly after taking off at 1:06pm on Monday.
The aircraft caught fire on impact, sending up thick plumes of smoke visible from a distance.
Eight units of the Fire Service responded to extinguish the blaze.
At least 19 deaths have been confirmed so far. Authorities fear many more may have been killed.
Shah Bulbul, public relations officer at Milestone School and College, told bdnews24.com that the aircraft hit the school’s academic building.
“Classes were in session at the time. The injured are being pulled out one by one,” he said.