Maherin Chowdhury

Maherin Chowdhury (; 1978 or 1979 - 21 July 2025) was a Bangladeshi school teacher who died in the 2025 Dhaka fighter jet crash. She is best remembered for her efforts of saving at least 20 children from burning, while engulfed in flames.
Early life and career
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. 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. 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. 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?"
Recognition
Maherin's efforts received global recognition. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised her efforts and called for her "bravery and sacrifice" to be remembered. On 24 July, the government decided to give a state honour to Maherin.

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