National mourning on Tuesday over Uttara tragedy

The government has declared Tuesday, July 22, a day of national mourning for the victims of the Bangladesh Air Force plane crash in Uttara, Dhaka , that killed at least 19 people, mostly school students, and left over 200 injured .

Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, announced that the national flag will fly at half-mast across all government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, and educational institutions. 

The flag will also be lowered at private buildings, diplomatic missions, and Bangladeshi embassies abroad.

Special prayers will be held in all places of worship across the country for the souls of the deceased and the recovery of the injured.

An emergency helpline has been set up at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery to assist victims and their families. The helpline number is 01949043697.

In a gesture of solidarity, the Bangladesh national cricket team will wear black armbands during Tuesday’s T20 match against Pakistan, said BCB Media Manager Rabid Imam.

The Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI aircraft crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Diyabari, Uttara, around 1:30pm on Monday triggering a deadly fire that engulfed parts of the school building. The cause of the crash is under investigation.