Maherin Chowdhury
Maherin Chowdhury | |
|---|---|
মাহেরিন চৌধুরী | |
 | |
| Born | 1978 or 1979 Jaldhaka, Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh |
| Died | 22 July 2025 (aged 46–47) Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Cause of death | Extensive burn injuries |
| Occupation | Teacher |
| Employer | Milestone School |
| Known for | Her efforts to save the children from the fire in the 2025 Dhaka fighter jet crash |
| Relatives | Ziaur Rahman (uncle) Khaleda Zia (aunt) Tarique Rahman (cousin) |
| Family | Majumder–Zia family |
Maherin Chowdhury (Bengali: মাহেরিন চৌধুরী; 1978 or 1979 – 21 July 2025) was a Bangladeshi school teacher who died in the 2025 Dhaka fighter jet crash.[1][2] She is best remembered for her efforts of saving at least 20 children from burning, while engulfed in flames.[3][4]
Early life and career
[edit]Maherin was born in Jaldhaka now part of Rangpur Division in Bangladesh. She was a member of Majumder–Zia family and niece of former Bangladeshi President Ziaur Rahman. Her grandmother and Ziaur Rahman's mother were siblings.[5][6] She worked as an English teacher and the coordinator of the Bengali medium of the classes III to V of the Milestone College since 2003.[7][6]
Jet crash and death
[edit]On 21 July 2025 at 13:18 BST (UTC+6), while she was at the school and classes were in session, an F-7BGI fighter jet of the Bangladesh Air Force crashed into the Milestone College's Haider Hall canteen. Maherin, though her body and clothes had caught fire, went back into a burning classroom repeatedly to rescue the students. She helped at least 20 children to get out from the building.[8] While helping, 80-100% of her body got burned. She was admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, where she died of her injuries in the same day at around 19:30 BST.[9][10][11] During the treatment, when asked by her husband Mansur Helal about her efforts, she replied: "they are also my children, they are burning. How can I leave them?"[6][8]
She was buried at her hometown Jaldhaka, Nilphamari, beside her parents' grave.[12][7]
Recognition
[edit]Maherin's efforts received global recognition. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised her efforts and called for her "bravery and sacrifice" to be remembered.[13][14] On 24 July, the government decided to give a state honour to Maherin.[15][16]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Teacher dies saving students from inferno in Bangladesh jet crash". Reuters. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Maherin Chowdhury: A hero who sacrificed her own life to save students". Prothom Alo. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "'They are also my children': Dhaka teacher died saving students after fighter jet hit school; hailed as hero". The Times of India. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Teacher dies saving students from Bangladesh jet crash inferno". ABC News. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Maherin Chowdhury: The teacher who stood between her students and death". Daily Sun. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "সেই শিক্ষক মাহরিন শহীদ প্রেসিডেন্ট জিয়াউর রহমানের ভাতিজি". Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). 23 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Dhaka plane crash: Milestone teacher Mahrin laid to rest". Somoy News. 22 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Teacher dies saving students from inferno in Bangladesh jet crash". The Straits Times. 2025-07-23. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
- ^ "Teacher Maherin fights for life in ICU after saving dozens of students". Jago News. 21 July 2025.
- ^ "What to know about the Bangladesh air force jet crash into a Dhaka school". Associated Press. 22 July 2025.
- ^ "Milestone teacher, who rescued students after jet crash at school, dies from 100% burns". The Business Standard. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Farewell to a heroic teacher who died while trying to save students in Dhaka jet crash". Asia News Network. The Daily Star. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Malaysian PM expresses solidarity with Milestone jet crash victims". BSS. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Malaysian PM expresses solidarity with Milestone plane crash victims in Bangladesh". The Business Standard. 24 July 2025.
- ^ "2 Milestone teachers, who died trying to save students, to be given state honour: Govt". The Business Standard. 24 July 2025.
- ^ "State to honour two teachers killed in Milestone jet crash". The Daily Star. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.