A terrifying scene unfolded at Milestone School and College in Dhaka, Bangladesh, when a Bangladeshi air force training jet crashed into the premises, leading to the deaths of at least 20 individuals and injuring more than 170 others. Year 10 student Farhan Hasan was among those who witnessed the horrifying event, having just completed an exam before stepping out to chat with friends. "The burning plane was hitting the building right in front of my eyes," he recounted, sharing the trauma of losing his best friend in the disaster.
Footage captured at the scene reveals thick smoke and flames engulfing the two-storey building, which was bustling with students and parents during the end of the school day. According to the armed forces, the F-7 jet experienced a mechanical failure shortly after takeoff for a training exercise around 1:00 p.m. local time, resulting in a catastrophic impact on the school grounds. Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam, the pilot of the jet, tragically lost his life in the crash.
Witnesses described hearing an explosion and seeing fire erupt. Rezaul Islam, a teacher at the school, noted that he saw the plane collide directly with the building. The chaos that ensued saw large crowds gather in a densely populated residential area, while ambulances raced to transport the injured. Eyewitness accounts highlight the panic as people fled in different directions to escape the unfolding disaster.
In the aftermath, over 50 individuals, primarily children aged 9 to 14, were rushed to hospitals with burn injuries. Grieving family members flocked to medical facilities seeking information on their loved ones, as the pain of loss settled in. One uncle, whose Year 8 nephew was a victim, struggled to comprehend the tragedy that claimed a young life.
In response to the disaster, Bangladesh's interim government declared a national day of mourning, ensuring that the flag would be flown at half-mast. Authorities announced that an investigation would be launched to determine the cause of the crash. Muhammad Yunus, the leader of the interim government, emphasized the need for urgent action and support for the affected families, expressing solidarity during this moment of national sorrow. As the community grapples with this tragedy, a collective call for assistance and healing emerges.
