Protests Erupt After Bangladesh Air Force Crash
On Tuesday, a large number of students gathered near the site of a recent crash involving a Bangladesh Air Force jet close to a school in Dhaka, where pilots undergo training. They voiced their demands for accountability, compensation for the families of victims, and an immediate halt to training flights.
The aftermath of Monday’s tragic event created significant traffic disruptions across parts of Dhaka, bringing back memories of a similar chaotic incident last year that led to the prime minister stepping down. Some students even made their way into the national administrative headquarters but were met with tear gas and stun grenades from security forces.
The death toll has sadly risen to 31, including at least 25 students and a teacher who suffered fatal burns while helping others escape from the two-story school building. In total, 171 people, predominantly from Milestone School and University, were reported injured.
In response to the crash in the crowded Uttara district, the military has launched an investigation, although civil aviation authorities are not directly involved.
In a show of solidarity, Bangladesh declared a day of mourning on Tuesday. Protesting students specifically called for accurate identification of those who died, compensation for affected families, and an urgent cessation of the Air Force’s use of what they deem “outdated and unsafe” training aircraft. They alleged mistreatment of the teacher on the day of the crash.
Frustration grew among the students when two senior government advisers arrived at the scene but had to seek shelter on campus for hours until additional security forces could escort them away.
Elsewhere in Dhaka, students breached security barricades at the Bangladesh Secretariat Complex, the nation’s administrative hub. Security personnel responded with stun grenades and tear gas, resulting in injuries among the students as they were charged at with batons. Many demanded the resignation of education advisers who announced a delay in canceling public examinations during the day of mourning.
Community in Shock
The shock from the tragedy is palpable. One student recounted, “The noise when the plane was coming in was deafening. I thought my ears would explode. Just moments later, it crashed right in front of me.”
Another student described witnessing flames erupting from the school and the horror of seeing victims scattered about. “Can anyone save them?” she asked helplessly.
As of Tuesday, 78 individuals, mostly students, remained hospitalized, according to Seydur Rahman, an aide to the interim leader, Muhammad Yunus. Initial reports noted 20 fatalities, which increased overnight as more succumbed to injuries from the crash.
Maherin Chowdhury, a teacher recognized for rescuing many students before perishing from her severe burns, was mentioned by her colleague. Medical professionals indicated that about 20 patients were critically injured, and a blood donation drive was initiated at a burn hospital treating most of the victims.
While families have received 20 bodies, the identification process for some may involve DNA testing due to extensive burns.
Technical Issues Reported
A military statement confirmed that the Chinese-made F-7 BGI training aircraft encountered a “technical malfunction” shortly after taking off from AK Kandaiker Air Base at 1:06 PM on Monday.
The pilot, Mohammed Tukir Islam, made efforts to steer the aircraft away from denser populated areas before the impact. It remains unclear whether he managed to control the jet sufficiently prior to the crash.
The school is situated roughly 11 kilometers from the airbase, within a densely populated zone filled with shops and residences. This incident marks one of the most deadly plane crashes in Dhaka in recent times, reminiscent of a 2008 accident involving another F-7 jet that resulted in the pilot’s death.
