Teacher who survived Milestone tragedy raises voice against spreading false death toll
Purnima explained that classes ended at 1pm, and by then most students had already left. However, a few students returned to classrooms as their guardians had not yet arrived
A teacher who survived the tragic plane crash at Milestone School and College has appealed to the public not to spread misinformation about the death toll.
In a Facebook post yesterday (22 July), Purnima Das wrote, "I am a teacher at Milestone's Haider Ali building. I am requesting everyone, please don't spread false information. I was also trapped in the fire. How can you know more than those of us who were inside?"
It is to be noted that the Facebook post, which was initially public, has been removed or the privacy has been changed this afternoon.
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Purnima explained that classes ended at 1pm, and by then most students had already left. However, a few students returned to classrooms as their guardians had not yet arrived.
"Those few, five or six, are the ones we lost, along with those who were in corridors or on swings. It's difficult to estimate the exact number," she said.
She noted that several teachers risked their lives trying to save children. "Mahren Miss and Masuka Miss lost their lives trying to get children out. Mahfuza Miss is critically injured and on life support, please pray for her," Purnima added.
She dismissed claims of "hidden bodies" as baseless, stating, "Do you think we wouldn't try our best to return every child to their parents? We are teachers, not politicians."
"Please don't spread false figures or play with people's emotions. Let's pray for the children who left us and the teachers and staff who risked everything," she urged.
