Tragic Jet Crash in Dhaka School
A Bangladeshi fighter jet crashed into a school in Dhaka on Monday, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and injuring over 170 people. This incident marks the country’s deadliest aviation disaster in many years.
Most of the victims were young students who had just left their classes when the Chinese-made F-7 BJI aircraft struck a prominent school and university.
An on-site photographer for AFP witnessed injured students being carried on stretchers while army personnel assisted in cleaning up the wreckage.
A military statement confirmed that the crash was due to a mechanical failure, leading to 20 deaths, including that of the pilot, and injuring 171 others.
Shafiul Rahman Shafi, an 18-year-old student, described hearing a massive explosion that he likened to an earthquake. “We had two fighter planes. Suddenly one of them crashed here on the junior playground,” he recalled. “The boom felt like a tremor. Then there was a fire, and troops arrived shortly after,” he added.
The well-known private institution caters to children from kindergarten through high school. Many injured were between the ages of 8 and 14, according to Mohammad Marf Islam, co-director of the National Institute of Burns and Orthopedic Surgery in Dhaka, where numerous victims were treated.
Relatives of victims reacted with grief, and many volunteers gathered in hospitals, ready to donate blood. Tofazzal Hossain, 30, was in tears upon discovering that his young cousin had died. “We searched various hospitals desperately for him. He was in the eighth grade. Eventually, we found his body,” he shared.
The military indicated that the pilots were engaged in a routine training exercise when the jet experienced a mechanical problem. “The exact cause is still under investigation,” they mentioned.
Despite efforts by the pilot to steer the aircraft away from the crowded area, the jet crashed into a two-story school building.
Muhammad Yunus, the interim government leader, declared a day of mourning for the victims on Tuesday. He expressed “deep sadness” regarding the incident. “The losses for the Air Force, students, parents, teachers, and the staff of Milestone School and University are irreparable,” he stated. “This is a moment of profound sorrow for the nation.”
This incident represents the worst aviation accident in Bangladesh in decades. The deadliest crash prior to this occurred in 1984, when a flight from Chattogram to Dhaka went down, claiming all 49 lives on board.
Last month, a commercial plane crash in neighboring India resulted in 260 fatalities. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his shock and sorrow over the loss of life in Dhaka. Following tensions between the neighboring countries, especially after Bangladeshi protesters ousted long-time ally Sheikh Hasina, Modi emphasized that India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is prepared to offer any necessary support.
