Urgent appeal for ‘negative’ blood amid Uttara plane crash tragedy

Following the tragic crash of a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft in Uttara, hundreds of volunteers have gathered at local hospitals to donate blood for the injured. However, despite an overwhelming response, a critical shortage of negative blood group types has sparked urgent appeals from medical staff and volunteers.

A visit to Dhaka Medical College and the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery on Monday revealed a dire scene: volunteers broadcasting over loudspeakers in search of donors with negative blood groups, urging them to come forward immediately.

“We have plenty of positive blood in stock, but the supply of negative blood types is extremely limited,” said volunteer Nurunnabi. “Many of the burn victims require negative blood, and the amount collected so far is far from sufficient. We are in desperate need of more donors.”

Multiple volunteers echoed the concern, adding that while in-person responses have been modest, efforts are underway through social media, phone calls, and personal networks to locate donors with rare blood types.

The crisis stems from a horrific accident earlier in the day, around 1:30 PM, when a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a building of Milestone School and College in Uttara. The impact triggered a fire in the building, identified as Haider Hall.

According to Md. Shahjahan Sikder, Senior Staff Officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence's media cell, at least 19 people have been confirmed dead and more than 100 others injured in the incident.

Authorities are continuing rescue operations, while hospitals remain on high alert as the demand for life-saving blood intensifies—particularly from negative group donors.