The government on Wednesday declared a one-day state mourning for Thursday in memory of the victims of the US-Bangla Airlines plane crash in Kathmandu.
The decision was taken at a high-level emergency meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office to determine the next course of action following the tragic accident. Chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the meeting was attended, by Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Prime Minister’s Advisers HT Imam and Tarique Ahmed Siddique, the chiefs of the three services and secretaries concerned. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary M Nojibur Rahman said the national flag will be hoisted half-mast across the country on Thursday.
Besides, special prayers will be held at all religious institutions and worship places, including mosques, temples, churches and pagodas across the country on Friday, he said. At the meeting, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the people of the country to have patience at this difficult time, Nojibur said, adding that she expressed her deep sympathy to the bereaved families of those killed who were in the plane crash and wished early recovery of the injured. Sheikh Hasina also directed the authorities concerned to take all necessary steps, including strictly following the rules and regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation and ensuring safety related to aviation and flight operation, to avoid the recurrence of such accident, he said.
She put emphasis on strengthening capability of the organisations concerned. The Prime Minister said the ministries and organisations concerned of Bangladesh and Nepal, including Foreign, Home and Civil Aviation and Tourism ministries, are working closely in coordination to identify the victims and bring the bodies of the deceased home. Besides, she directed all concerned to immediately take highest possible measures to ensure better treatment for the injured persons. The Principal Secretary said a medical team comprising burn and DNA specialists is ready to fly for Kathmandu. He said the Prime Minister also assured of providing all necessary treatment for the Nepalese citizens who were injured in the plane crash, saying Bangladesh would ensure better treatment bringing them to Dhaka if necessary. At least 49 people, including 26 Bangladeshi nationals, were killed as the US-Bangla Airlines aircraft crashed and burst into flames at Tribhuvan International Airport in the capital of Himalayan county Nepal on Monday.
