Grief and Resilience: The Aftermath of the Dhaka School Tragedy

Wed Nov 05 2025 10:10:32 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A devastating plane crash in Dhaka claims lives, leaving the community in mourning and survivors grappling with trauma.

In a tragic accident, a fighter jet crashed into a primary school in Dhaka, Bangladesh, resulting in at least 31 fatalities, predominantly young students. Eyewitness accounts reveal the chaos and bravery among students and staff as they responded to the unfolding disaster, while families face an agonizing wait for closure amidst bureaucratic hurdles. The community continues to grapple with the trauma, as the echoes of that fateful day linger in the air.

A horrific event unfolded on Monday when a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 fighter jet crashed into the Milestone School and College in Dhaka, marking one of the deadliest aviation incidents in the nation's history. Eyewitnesses described the moment as “like 30 or 40 thunderbolts falling from the sky,” capturing the chaotic and harrowing scenes that followed the crash.

The aircraft was reportedly on a training flight when it encountered a mechanical malfunction shortly after takeoff. Tragically, the crash claimed the lives of at least 31 individuals, many of whom were innocent schoolchildren waiting to be picked up or enjoying snacks on the campus. Local student Ahnaf Bin Hasan, who was a mere 30 feet away from the impact, recounted, “All I could see was smoke, fire, and darkness. Children were screaming. Everything was chaos.”

The aircraft had nosedived into the school, crashing through the entrance before exploding, with classrooms instantly transformed into devastation zones. Amidst the fury, the chaotic atmosphere led to acts of unexpected heroism; Ahnaf and fellow students instinctively attempted to rescue trapped peers, enduring unbearable conditions to save lives.

As rescue efforts unfolded, the heart-wrenching grief swept through the community. Families desperately sought missing loved ones. The family of 11-year-old Wakia Firdous Nidhi faced a painful ordeal as they identified their daughter’s body only to confront bureaucratic hurdles that delayed her release. “We know it’s her,” her uncle lamented, reflecting on the frustrations and anguish of families in search of closure.

Accounts of miraculous escapes contrasted devastating losses, capturing the unpredictability of life amid the chaos. A mother recounted how her son avoided the disaster by fate, while another parent tragically lost both children within mere hours. Meanwhile, one teacher, Mahreen Chowdhury, emerged as a beacon of bravery, risking her life to save over 20 students before succumbing to her injuries.

As the community reels from the shock, questions regarding the accuracy of casualty figures and the circumstances surrounding the crash persist. While conflicting reports regarding the death toll surfaced, the trauma lived on for the survivors, like Ahnaf, who expressed, “Every time I look outside, I feel like a fighter jet is coming at me. The screams are still in my ears.”

The Milestone School campus, typically a place of laughter and learning, is now forever marked by grief. Formerly bustling corridors now echo with memories of the harrowing day that claimed innocent lives, serving as a painful reminder of the fragility of life. The resilience of the community shines through as they face the challenging path of healing, forever bearing the scars from this tragic incident in their hearts.