The government, Bangladesh Army, hospital authorities, and Milestone School and College administration are working together to prepare a complete and accurate list of those injured and killed in yesterday’s tragic plane crash at Milestone College in the capital’s Uttara, according to a press release issued by the Chief Adviser’s office today.

The authorities are verifying the names and identities of each deceased person, while the bodies that remain unidentifiable are undergoing DNA testing for confirmation, reads the release.

Several victims of the incident are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals in Dhaka. The release said the government has taken the highest possible measures to ensure proper medical care for the injured.

The authorities have also condemned the spread of misinformation regarding the incident.

“We are observing with concern that some quarters are claiming information about the casualties is being concealed. We firmly state that this claim is not true,” the press release read.

It also urged the public to contact the school authorities immediately if anyone they know is still missing following the incident.

“A control room is being set up at the school to help relatives trace their loved ones. The school registry and other documents are being reviewed to verify whether anyone remains unaccounted for,” it added.

Yesterday (21 July), a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) F-7 BGI fighter jet crashed into the Diabari campus of Milestone College in the capital’s Uttara shortly after takeoff, sparking a massive fire.

The plane had taken off from BAF Base Bir Uttom AK Khandker at 1:06pm and crashed due to a technical failure, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

So far, deaths of 25 children and two adults, including the pilot and a teacher of Milestone, have been officially confirmed.

However, students who witnessed the incident and helped first responders have claimed that the death toll is much higher than what has been officially announced. 

The pilot had ejected from the aircraft but later died from injuries at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

The fighter jet had crashed into the primary school building moments before classes would have ended.