Milestone toll revised down to 29 as fight for life continues
Of the 29 bodies, 21 have already been handed over to respective victims’ families, while seven have been preserved in the morgue
Highlights
- 29 lives lost so far
- 44 receiving treatment at burn institute, 21 in CMH
- At least 8 in critical condition
- Medical team from Singapore begins work
- Milestone forms committee to determine number of victims
- CAAB transfers flight safety and regulation director
As the tug of war between life and death continues at various hospitals in the capital, more succumbed to their injuries yesterday, raising the death toll of the Milestone air crash tragedy to 29.
To strengthen the efforts to save the ailing burn victims, a medical team from Singapore that arrived on Tuesday night has started work at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
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A total of 44 patients are currently receiving treatment at the institute, with eight in critical condition. Besides, 21 are being treated in Combined Military Hospital (CMH) with four in the ICU, and several others at different private hospitals in the capital.
Meanwhile, at least two teachers at the Milestone School and College on social media platforms urged everyone not to spread rumors on deadbodies being concealed, saying it is just not possible as the institute has clear records of its students present at the time of the crash.
Earlier, social media platforms were flooded with allegations of underreporting the casualties.
The chief adviser's press secretary Shafiqul Alam and ISPR in separate messages have also assured that the government is working with utmost transparency and clarity to treat the injured and identify the deceased.
Eight out of 44 in critical condition at burn institute
A total of 44 patients are currently being treated at the burn institute, with eight in critical condition, the institute's Director Dr Nasir Uddin said at a press briefing held around 3:45pm yesterday.
Apart from those eight, 13 are in severe and 23 are in intermediate condition. So far, 11 people have died at the institute, he confirmed.
Highlighting the vulnerability of children and the elderly, burn institute director said, "Treatment is being administered based on what is appropriate for each age group. All patients will be reassessed every 12 hours."
Singapore medical team begins work
The medical team from Singapore, led by Dr Chong Si Jack, senior consultant at Singapore General Hospital, started assisting with the treatment of the air crash victims.
"We sat with medical experts from Singapore today. We shared our decisions and they shared their opinions as well," said Nasir Uddin, adding that there is currently no shortage of medicines or medical supplies.
The Singapore team joins the effort under an existing MoU between the burn institute and Singapore General Hospital.
In response to a question about whether doctors from India would be brought in, Dr Nasir said the matter is being handled by officials from the foreign ministry and health ministry.
"Doctors from our country who are abroad are also advising us. We are taking input from everyone."
Mentioning that there is no matter of ego when it comes to treating the children, he said, "If any advice helps the children recover, we will accept it."
Milestone forms committee to ascertain number of victims
Milestone School and College has formed a probe committee to determine the number of deceased, injured or missing students and others in the devastating jet crash.
According to a press release issued yesterday, the committee includes administration, teachers, students and parents.
The school's Principal Mohammad Ziaul Alam will preside over the committee while members include Vice Principal Md Masud Alam, Head Teacher Khadija Akhter, Coordinator Lutfunnesa Lopa, a student's guardian Md Moniruzzaman Molla and 12th grade students Maruf Bin Ziaur Rahman, Md Tasnim Bhuiyan Protik.
A probe report will be submitted within three working days, reads the release.
CAAB transfers flight safety and regulation director
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has withdrawn its director of Flight Safety and Regulation, Group Captain Md Ahsan Habib, and transferred him.
He has been replaced by Group Captain Md Monirul Islam as the new director of Flight Safety and Regulation, according to a notice issued by CAAB on Tuesday.
It also said that Habib was taken back to the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF).
