Tragedy Strikes as Bangladesh Air Force Jet Crashes into School

A Bangladeshi air force training jet tragically crashed into a school in Dhaka, killing 20 people including the pilot, while over 170 were injured.

Year 10 student Farhan Hasan had just concluded an exam at Milestone School and College when chaos erupted. "The burning plane was hitting the building right in front of my eyes," he recounted, as the aircraft collided with the structure, causing destruction and loss. Multiple eye-witness accounts describe a horrifying scene of flames and smoke consuming the area right after the F-7 jet reportedly developed a mechanical fault shortly after its takeoff for a training session around 1 PM local time.

As the jet crashed into the two-storey building, many students and parents were present. Farhan tearfully recalled the moment he witnessed his best friend lost in the incident. A collective tragedy unfolded in front of families who were just arriving to pick up their children after school. Rezaul Islam, a teacher at the college, described how he watched the plane directly struck the school. Masud Tarik, another teacher, reported the echoes of an explosion, followed by an enveloping cloud of smoke.

Footage captured by bystanders shows frantic crowds forming as emergency services responded with over 30 ambulances swiftly transporting the injured and deceased from the disaster site. The echoes of distress were felt throughout the neighborhood as worried loved ones rushed to find relatives, with one grieving woman sharing her concern for her son, who had contacted her immediately after the crash but had since gone silent.

In the hours following the crash, the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery received over 50 victims, many suffering from severe burns, predominantly minors aged between 9 and 14 years old. Families and volunteers rallied to donate blood at local hospitals, while politicians, including those from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, came to offer support and solidarity.

In response to the calamity, the interim government has announced a national day of mourning set for Tuesday, instructing flags to be flown at half-mast. The armed forces noted that the pilot attempted to steer the jet away from populated areas despite the ensuing mechanical issues. An investigation committee has been established to determine the cause of the incident. Muhammad Yunus, the interim government leader, reflected on the national grief, emphasizing the need for a thorough inquiry and support for the victims and their families.