Day of prayers for victims after Bangladesh jet crash
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Muslims offer a special prayer at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka on July 25.
PHOTO: AFP
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DHAKA - Special prayers were held across Bangladesh on July 25, as the death toll after a fighter jet crashed into a school building
Most of the dead were children – the youngest aged nine – after the Chinese-made F-7 BJI aircraft slammed into the Milestone School and College on July 21 following a mechanical failure.
The authorities earlier said 31 people were killed and 170 injured in the deadliest aviation disaster in the country in decades.
The latest to die from her injuries was 10-year-old Tasnim Afroz Ayman, hospital coordinator Sarkar Farhana Kabir told AFP.
“She was undergoing treatment in the High Dependency Unit with 45 per cent burns,” she said.
Ayman’s uncle, Mr Saiful Islam, said she remained calm and composed despite experiencing excruciating pain during her final hours.
“Even last night, she consoled her mother. But God had other plans,” Mr Saiful told AFP.
As at July 25, 51 others were receiving treatment in various city hospitals.
Following a government directive, all mosques across the country held special prayers during the July 25 congregation.
Mr Ashraful Islam, who came to pray at a mosque close to the school, lost both his children – Tahia Ashraf Nazia, 13, and Arian Ashraf Nafi, nine.
“I have nothing left,” Mr Ashraful told reporters.
Nazia kept asking about her younger brother Nafi until her last breath, he added.
Her final request was for an ice cream, said her aunt Naznin Akhter.
“I’m burning inside. Give me some ice cream... and don’t let go of my hand,” were Nazia’s last words, the aunt told a local TV channel.
India and Singapore have sent doctors specialising in burn care to assist their Bangladesh colleagues.
A military investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the accident. AFP
