ALBAWABA- Tragedy struck the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka when a military training jet crashed into a school compound on Sunday, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 160 others, including students and parents.
The devastating crash occurred at Milestone School and College in the northern suburb of Uttara, where classes were in session.
Dramatic footage from the scene showed flames engulfing a two-story building and plumes of thick smoke rising over the campus. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as the aircraft, an F-7 jet used by the Bangladesh Air Force for training, slammed into the school shortly after 1:00 PM local time.
The armed forces confirmed that the jet had encountered a mechanical failure just moments after takeoff. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam, was among those killed.
According to a statement released by the military, he attempted to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas, but the malfunction left little time for safe maneuvering.
Hospitals in Dhaka have been overwhelmed with burn victims, with more than 50 people, including children as young as four, rushed to emergency rooms. Doctors at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery reported that many of the injured are in critical condition.
Eyewitnesses painted a grim picture. Rezaul Islam, a teacher at the college, told local media that he saw the plane hit the building “directly.” Another teacher, Masud Tarik, recounted hearing a loud explosion and seeing flames engulf the area crowded with children and parents.
Rescue teams, firefighters, and emergency services rushed to the site and continued searching through the charred rubble for survivors late into the day. Photos from the scene showed rescue workers digging through debris while onlookers gathered on nearby rooftops.
An official investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash. Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow over the incident and assured that all necessary support would be provided to the victims and their families.
“This is a painful day for our nation,” he said in a statement. “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and urge all medical facilities to prioritize the care of the injured.”
In honor of those lost, Bangladesh has declared Tuesday a national day of mourning, with the national flag to be flown at half-mast across government buildings and institutions.
