Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for airline regulations to be followed and safety measures to be ensured in the wake of the US-Bangla plane crash in Nepal on Monday.
The prime minister issued the directive on Wednesday while chairing a high-level emergency meeting at her office in response to the tragedy, reported UNB.
After the meeting the prime minister’s principal secretary, M Nojibur Rahman, told reporters that a one-day state of mourning will be observed on Thursday in memory of the victims of the crash, with the national flag hoisted at half-mast across the country.
“In addition, special prayers will be held at all religious institutions and places of worship, including mosques, temples, churches and pagodas, across the country on Friday,“ he said.
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According to a press release from the Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday, a total of 51 people from the 71 passengers and crew died when Flight BS211 veered off the runway while landing at Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday afternoon.
At least 26 Bangladeshi nationals were among the dead, while a number of injured survivors were undergoing treatment at hospitals in Kathmandu.
“A medical team comprised of burn and DNA specialists was ready to fly for Kathmandu,” The principal secretary said.
“The prime minister assured of providing all necessary treatment for Nepali citizens who were injured in the plane crash, saying Bangladesh would bring them to Dhaka if necessary.”
Wednesday’s emergency 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, and the chiefs of the three services concerned.
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“Sheikh Hasina urged the people of Bangladesh to have patience in this difficult time,” Nojibur said, adding that she expressed her deep sympathy to the bereaved families of those killed in the plane crash and wished an early recovery for the injured.
Sheikh Hasina placed an emphasis on strengthening the capability of the foreign, home and civil aviation and tourism ministries to work with their Nepali counterparts to identify the victims and bring the bodies of the deceased home.
AL government will provide all kind of assistance
Meanwhile, during her introductory speech at the Awami League Central Working Committee meeting in Ganabhaban on Wednesday night, the prime minister said her government would provide all kind of assistance to the victims of US-Bangla plane crash in Nepal.
Describing the accident as a matter of bad luck, the prime minister said: “I have already ordered all authorities concerned to contact the victims’ families and also to provide all kind of help to the families who lost their dear ones.”
She said: “After returning from Singapore, I had a meeting with the chiefs of armed forces, health minister, home minister and others and declared Thursday as a day of mourning for the victims of the US-Bangla Airlines plane crash in Nepal.”
She also said: “A medical team will be sent to Nepal to help with DNA examinations. Apart from that we will help Nepal with what they need.”
PM’s Political Adviser HT Imam, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Joint General Secretary Mahabubul Alam Hanif, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and others were present at the meeting.