India to send burn specialists to Dhaka after deadly air crash
New Delhi, Jul 23: India will soon dispatch a team of burn-specialist doctors and nurses to Dhaka to assist in the treatment of victims injured in Monday’s tragic air crash, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. “A team of burn-specialist Doctors and Nurses with necessary medical support are scheduled to visit Dhaka shortly to treat the victims. They will make an assessment of the condition of patients with recommendation for further treatment and specialised care in India as necessary. Additional medical teams may also follow depending on their preliminary assessment and treatment,” the MEA said in an official release.
The move comes in the wake of a devastating crash in central Dhaka on July 21, when a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft slammed into a two-storey private school building, killing at least 27 people, many of them young students, and injuring over 150 others.. The aircraft, identified as an F-7 fighter jet, was on a routine training sortie when it reportedly suffered a mechanical failure shortly after takeoff. The Bangladeshi armed forces confirmed the pilot was among the deceased. At least 50 people, including several children and school staff, are being treated for severe burn injuries at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. With many still in critical condition, Bangladesh has welcomed international medical support.
In response to the tragedy on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and offered India’s full support to Bangladesh. “Deeply shocked and saddened at the loss of lives, many of them young students, in a tragic air crash in Dhaka. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. We pray for the swift recovery of those who have been injured. India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. This is the deadliest aviation accident in Dhaka in recent memory. The city last witnessed a similar tragedy in 2008, when another F-7 jet crashed just outside the capital, killing the pilot.
