State honours for two Milestone teachers who lost their lives in jet crash

Social media users have commended them for their bravery

The government has decided to confer state honours on two teachers, Mahrin Chowdhury and Masuka Begum, who lost their lives while trying to save students after a fighter jet crash on the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka’s Uttara sparked a fire.

The decision was made at a meeting of the Advisory Council chaired by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday.

At the start of the meeting, the council adopted a condolence motion in memory of those who died in the crash.

A minute of silence was observed, and prayers were offered for the deceased.

“The council meeting decided to provide all necessary assistance to the families of the dead and the injured in the tragic accident and to provide medical care to them,” the office of the chief advisor said.

“To this end, the Ministry of Education will talk to the school authority and decide on the next steps.”

The council also decided to grant state honours to the two teachers who died. The details of the honour will be determined soon, according to the statement.

In addition, special prayers will be held at all religious institutions on Friday, seeking forgiveness for those who died and the recovery of those injured. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will coordinate the initiative.

On Monday, an “F-7 BGI” fighter jet of the Bangladesh Air Force crashed into a building of Milestone School and College in the capital’s Diabari area.

Witnesses said the aircraft struck the school grounds and then skidded into a two-storey academic building. The fireball engulfed the structure, trapping many inside.

As classes were over, a number of parents had also gathered near the building.

When the fire broke out, the building’s entrance was locked, preventing anyone from escaping.

Among the 29 people confirmed dead are teachers Mahrin and Masuka.

Social media users have praised the two teachers for their bravery. The posts lauded them for staying behind to help students trapped inside, reportedly saving many lives, rather than escaping themselves.

Fifty-seven people who sustained burns and other injuries remain hospitalised across several facilities, including the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery and the Combined Military Hospital.

Eight are in critical condition.

An investigation committee formed by the school authority said three students and two parents remained unaccounted for as of three days after the accident.