Dhaka – India has dispatched a specialised medical team to Bangladesh to conduct a second round of consultations on victims of the devastating July 21 plane crash at Milestone School and College in Dhaka. The crash, involving a Bangladesh Air Force F‑7 BGI training jet, claimed at least 32 lives—including over 29 students—and injured more than 170 individuals, many critically .
First Deployment: Burn Specialists Arrive
Responding promptly to the tragedy, a team comprising two burn-specialist doctors and nursing staff from New Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital landed in Dhaka on the night of July 23, as confirmed by India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Their mission: assist local medical professionals at Dhaka’s National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, assess patient conditions, and recommend further treatments—including potential transfers to Indian hospitals .
Second-Round Consultations Underway
On July 25, the Indian team returned for their second round of consultations, reviewing critical cases in detail and jointly finalising treatment protocols with Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health and leading burn-care specialists .They conducted bedside visits to monitor patient progress, discussed prognosis evaluations, and offered clinical leadership on long-term care strategies.
A Humanitarian Response with Regional Synergy
The deployment underscores India’s commitment to regional humanitarian diplomacy in the wake of the tragic crash. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed condolences to Bangladesh’s interim leadership and pledged comprehensive support during the aftermath of the incident. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka formally coordinated with Bangladesh’s government to assess needs and facilitate further medical assistance if necessary .
Impact and Broader Implications
- Medical solidarity: India’s medical mission represents support beyond diplomatic niceties—it’s grounded assistance from two of India’s top burn-care institutions.
- Victim-focused approach: Early involvement ensures treatment protocols can be refined across burn-care, reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation, and psychological support.
- Follow-up guaranteed: Additional medical teams and equipment may be dispatched based on current assessments and evolving patient needs.
In Memoriam: The Milestone Crash Overview
On July 21, around 1:06 p.m. local time, a Bangladesh Air Force FT‑7 BGI crashed into the Milestone School campus in the Uttara suburb while on a training sortie, moments after departing BAF Base Bir Uttom A.K. Khandker . Authorities cite a mechanical malfunction, and the pilot, Flight Lt Md Toukir Islam, is believed to have attempted to redirect the aircraft away from dense areas before impact
