Dhaka: Bangladesh is in mourning following a tragic military jet crash that claimed at least 31 lives, many of whom were students from the Milestone School and College in Dhaka. The crash occurred when an F-7 jet, undertaking a training exercise, experienced a mechanical fault and crashed into the school premises. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Md Taukir Islam, was among the deceased.
According to BBC, the jet encountered mechanical issues shortly after takeoff, which led to the catastrophic incident. The pilot attempted to navigate the aircraft away from densely populated areas but was unable to prevent the crash. Witnesses described horrific scenes, with one teacher, Rezaul Islam, recounting how he saw the plane crash directly into the school building. Another teacher, Masud Tarik, reported hearing an explosion and witnessing the aftermath of fire and smoke.
Emergency services responded promptly, with images showing rescuers sifting through the rubble to locate survivors. An investigation committee has been formed to delve into the cause of the crash, as stated by the armed forces.
The victims, predominantly students, were caught in the tragedy just as school was ending. At least 17 of the deceased were children, confirmed by the health ministry. Eyewitnesses, including Year 10 student Farhan Hasan, shared heart-wrenching accounts of losing friends and family in the incident. Injuries also mounted, with over 160 people hurt, many of them children suffering from burns caused by jet fuel.
While air crashes are relatively uncommon in Bangladesh, the nation has experienced notable incidents in the past, such as the 1984 Biman flight disaster and a 2018 crash involving a US-Bangla Airlines flight in Nepal. The 2008 crash of another F-7 training jet outside Dhaka is also remembered.
In the wake of the tragedy, the city is grappling with the aftermath as medical facilities strive to treat the injured. The National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery has been inundated with victims’ relatives and volunteers eager to donate blood. Politicians have visited the injured, and an emergency hotline has been set up to assist with the casualties.
Muhammad Yunus, leader of Bangladesh’s interim government, emphasized the need for calm as DNA testing is undertaken to identify those who perished. He assured the public of a thorough investigation and necessary assistance for those affected. The incident has prompted expressions of sympathy from leaders of neighboring countries, including Pakistan and India.