Two students who sustained severe burn injuries in the devastating aircraft crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara succumbed to their injuries on Thursday, raising the death toll at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery to 13.
The deceased were identified as Mahtab Rahman Bhuiyan, 13, a seventh-grade student of the school’s English version, and Mahiya Tasnim, 15, an eighth-grade student.
Dr Shaon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon at the Burn Institute, confirmed the deaths. He said Mahtab had suffered 85 percent burns, including critical damage to his trachea. Despite intensive treatment, he died in the ICU at around 1:50 PM on Thursday.
Mahiya had sustained 50 percent burns, also with tracheal damage. Despite receiving continued care in the ICU, she passed away around 4:30 PM, the surgeon added.
Mahtab was the only son of Minhazur Rahman Bhuiyan from Chulash Bhuiyan Bari in Debidwar upazila of Comilla. The family resides in Uttara. His father said he had gone to pick Mahtab up from school on Monday when the tragedy occurred. Mahtab was severely burned in the explosion and was rescued by army personnel before being taken to the hospital.
Mahiya’s family lives in Block D of the Rajuk Project in Sector 18, Uttara. Her father, Mohammad Biswas, died five years ago. Since then, her mother, Afroza Khatun—a housewife—along with her aunt, had been raising Mahiya and her two sisters.
Relatives and neighbours at the hospital expressed deep grief, remembering both students as bright, kind-hearted, and full of potential.
On July 21, a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI fighter jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Uttara.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Office of the Chief Adviser released a list confirming the identities of 22 deceased individuals, placing the official death toll at 29. However, other government agencies have reported differing figures, leaving families and the public in uncertainty.
According to a statement signed by Dr Abu Hossain Md Moinul Ahsan, director at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 22 victims—17 of them children—have been identified and their bodies handed over to families. The list includes several young students aged between 9 and 14.
Named among the children are: Bappi (9), Nafi (9), Samiul Karim, Saad Salauddin, Saima Akter, Fatema Akter, Minhaj Arefin, Humaira, Zunaid, Nusrat Jahan Anika (10), Umair Nur Ashfiq (11), Erikson (13), Arian (13), Nazia (13), Saria Akter (13), Tanvir (14), and Afnan Faiyaz (14).
The five adults listed include: Flight Lieutenant Md Tawkir Islam (pilot), Masuka (37), Rajoni Islam (37), and Mahrin (46).
“DNA samples from these unidentified bodies have already been collected under forensic supervision. The analysis will soon be conducted at the CID laboratory,” Dr Rahman said, appealing for greater public cooperation.
The fatal incident occurred on Monday afternoon when a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College building in Dhaka’s Uttara area, triggering a devastating fire. Preliminary investigations suggest that structural collapse and fire contributed to the high number of casualties.
A formal inquiry is now underway, jointly led by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
As the nation mourns, candlelight vigils and memorial services are being held across the country, while families continue to search for answers—and closure—in the wake of one of the deadliest peacetime tragedies in recent memory.