From Within the Flames, a Voice Called Out, ‘Father, Father’

Melbourne, 24 July — Abdur Rahim had gone to pick up his only daughter from school. In a busy day, seeing his child’s face is the most peaceful moment. He had arrived at the school before the end of classes. But as his daughter had coaching after school, he had to wait longer. He was considering going back. Just then, a deafening explosion shook everything around.

In an instant, the sky filled with smoke and blazing flames. In the stunned father’s mind, only his daughter’s terrified face appeared. Disoriented, he rushed upstairs.

It wasn’t fear but love that drove him. Risking his life, he broke the grill and carried his daughter on his shoulder. By that time, the fire had already touched Samia’s body. On such a tragic day, a fearless father standing between life and death created an unforgettable story.

This past Monday, a fighter jet crashed into Milestone School and College in northern Bangladesh. Amid the sorrow, stories of love, desperation, and humanity emerged. One such story was that of Abdur Rahim and his daughter Samia.

Trapped inside, Samia could only scream, “Father, father!” Hearing her voice through the explosion, Rahim rushed forward. He rescued the piece of his heart and brought her to safety.

A Father’s Bravery in the Race for Life

After the Milestone College incident, a video of a father carrying a school-uniform-clad girl on his shoulders went viral online. That father was Abdur Rahim. He managed to reach a safe place carrying his fourth-grade daughter, Samia, on his shoulders.

Thanks to technology, many people saw this brave father. His presence touched hearts. People witnessed firsthand how strong a father’s shoulders can be. Just as fathers are symbols of courage and strength in every step of life, Abdur Rahim became a shining example.

The Delay After School Became Critical

Abdur Rahim runs a fish market business. Among his three children, two study at Milestone. His elder son is in 10th grade and his daughter in 4th.

Though Samia’s grandmother or aunt usually dropped her at school, her father picked her up every day. On that dreadful day, his son’s school day ended an hour earlier.

Samia’s school ended later due to coaching. If Rahim hadn’t been near the school or hadn’t been able to reach her in time, that extra hour could have become eternal for him.

Family members described the harrowing day. On Wednesday, standing outside the National Burn Unit with a pillow in hand, Samia’s uncle Lalchan Mia and father took turns recounting the events.

Lalchan told Deshkal News, “That day, her aunt took her to school. And her father went to pick her up. He always picks her up. But she didn’t come out after school because of coaching. Her brother Siam, who is in class ten at the same school, called their father to inform him that Samia still had coaching and would be out in an hour.

“He waited there for a while. After hearing the delay, he was leaving when a loud explosion occurred. Looking back, he saw flames and smoke. Only one thought raced through his mind—his daughter was trapped inside.”

‘Father, Father’

The roaring flames had reached the second floor. From the smoke, Samia saw her father standing below with terrified eyes. She screamed out with all her might, “Father… father!” Hearing her cries, the father rushed inside, defying the fire. For his beloved daughter, he leapt into the flames.

Describing what his brother told him, Lalchan said, “There was so much smoke, nothing could be seen. My brother called for his daughter repeatedly. Then suddenly, from the second floor, she saw her father and started shouting, ‘Father… father.’

“My brother said, ‘No matter what, I must save my daughter.’ With that, he ran upstairs. By then, the army had also arrived. Along with the army, he went up. They found Samia in bad shape. Together, they broke the grill on the window and brought her out.”

Horror Through a Relative’s Eyes…

Ashraf Uddin, Samia’s maternal grandfather, was with the family in front of the Burn Unit. He had also gone to the school on the day of the incident and was the one who took Samia to the hospital.

He described what he saw: “My son-in-law called and said, ‘Uncle, a plane has crashed into the school. Come quickly.’ I reached there in two minutes because we live nearby. I saw him standing outside the school with his daughter and her schoolbag.”

Sent His Daughter, Stayed Behind…

No matter his own condition, he insisted on rushing his daughter to the hospital. Such selfless acts are perhaps only possible for fathers.

Ashraf Uddin said, “I carried my granddaughter and got on a rickshaw. But her father didn’t come with us. He told us to just take his daughter to the hospital. He was in bad shape. I left him there and took Samia to the hospital.”

He added, “People who didn’t see the scene that day can’t imagine how terrifying the fire was. My son studies there too, in the same class as her brother. They were saved because their classes ended earlier.”

Two Hospitals Before the Burn Unit…

After rescuing Samia, they had to go to two hospitals before being admitted to the Burn Unit. Currently, she is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), having suffered 25% burns.

Ashraf Uddin said, “First, we went to a medical center. They didn’t even provide initial treatment. The doctors said, ‘Take her elsewhere.’ Then we went to Crescent Hospital. They applied ointment and bandaged her, saying, ‘Children shouldn’t stay here. Take her to the Burn Unit.’

“Then we brought her here. She’s in ICU now.”

In the ICU, Her Eyes Search for Her Father…

Despite enduring such trauma, little Samia is still fighting for her life. Just as her father came like a beacon of light in her darkest hour, her eyes now search for him through the hospital doors.

Lalchan said, “In the afternoon, my brother went for prayers. The doctors said, ‘She wants to see her father.’ As soon as he heard, he ran to her. He’s been by her side ever since.”

The family continues to pray for little Samia’s swift recovery and relief from pain.