Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

Bangladesh is observing a day of mourning after a tragic accident in its capital city, Dhaka. A military jet crashed into a school building on Monday, killing at least 27 people. Many of those who died were young students who had just finished their classes for the day.

How the Crash Happened

The jet was an F-7 fighter aircraft used by the Bangladesh Air Force for training. It took off from an air force base in Dhaka at around 1 pm local time. Soon after take-off, the pilot reported a mechanical problem.

According to the air force, the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam tried his best to steer the plane away from crowded areas. Sadly, he could not avoid the crash and died along with many others.

The jet crashed into the Milestone School and College in Uttara, a busy neighbourhood in Dhaka. Teachers said students had just come out of their classrooms when the plane fell on the building.

Witnesses Describe the Horror

Rezaul Islam, a teacher at the school, saw the plane hit the building directly. Another teacher, Masud Tarik, said he heard a loud explosion. He described the moment, saying, “When I looked back, I only saw fire and smoke. There were many parents and children here.”

After the crash, emergency workers rushed to the scene. They worked for hours, searching through the burnt rubble to find survivors. Pictures showed rescuers carrying injured students and teachers to ambulances.

Victims and Injured

Most of the victims were students of Milestone School and College. The school has around 2,000 students, from preschool to senior secondary levels. The health ministry said at least 17 of those who died were children.

Farhan Hasan, a student of class 10, shared his painful experience. He said he had just finished his exam and left the hall when he saw the plane crashing into the building. He said, “My best friend, who was with me in the exam hall, died right in front of my eyes.”

Many parents were waiting outside to pick up their children when the plane crashed. One man’s eight-year-old nephew died in the accident. The man, with tears in his eyes, said, “My beloved nephew is in the morgue right now.” His younger brother, the boy’s father, kept asking, “Where is my son?”

A teacher said classes for grades five to seven were held in the part of the building that was hit. Although classes had ended around 1 pm, many students were still waiting for private coaching classes.

Hospitals Filled With Injured

Doctors said at least 170 people were injured in the crash. Many of them are children between the ages of 10 and 15. Some students suffered serious burns from the jet fuel.

At the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, doctors said more than 50 people were admitted with burns. Many are in critical condition and fighting for their lives.

Hospitals were crowded with family members searching for their loved ones. Volunteers lined up to donate blood for the injured. Some politicians also visited hospitals to meet the victims and their families.

How Common Are Such Crashes?

Plane crashes are rare in Bangladesh. The last major air disaster in the country happened in 1984 when a passenger plane crashed into a marsh near Dhaka airport, killing all 49 people on board.

In 2018, a US-Bangla Airlines flight crashed while trying to land in Kathmandu, Nepal, killing 51 people. In 2008, another F-7 jet crashed outside Dhaka during training, killing the pilot.

What Happens Next?

After the crash, the Bangladesh government launched an investigation to find out what caused the accident. An investigation committee has been formed to study the incident.

Authorities said that bodies that could be identified would be handed over to their families. For those who could not be identified, DNA testing would be used.

Muhammad Yunus, the leader of Bangladesh’s interim government, said an emergency hotline had been set up for families to get information. He urged people not to crowd hospitals unnecessarily so that doctors and nurses can continue their work smoothly.

He also promised that “necessary measures” would be taken to investigate the cause of the crash and to provide all help to the victims’ families.

Condolences From Neighbouring Countries

Leaders of neighbouring countries expressed their condolences over the tragedy. The prime minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, and the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, both sent messages of sympathy to the people of Bangladesh.

City Still in Shock

The people of Dhaka are still in shock after this mass casualty event. Many families have lost their children, while others are waiting outside hospitals praying for their loved ones to recover.

Students who survived are traumatised after seeing their friends die in front of them. Teachers are trying to support their students emotionally while dealing with their grief.

Experts Call For Safety Checks

Aviation experts said the accident shows the need for strict safety checks on training aircraft. They said pilots must be given regular training to handle emergencies and that old aircraft must be replaced with new ones to avoid such mechanical failures.

Schools to Remain Closed

After the crash, the school announced that it would remain closed until further notice. Parents gathered outside the campus to collect whatever belongings they could find in the rubble.

Many said they were worried about sending their children back to the school building in the future, fearing it would bring back painful memories.

People Pray For Victims

As the nation observes a day of mourning, people are visiting mosques and temples to pray for the souls of those who died. Flags are being flown at half-mast in honour of the victims.

For now, the families affected by this tragedy are trying to come to terms with their loss. The investigation continues to find out what went wrong and how such accidents can be prevented in the future.