The recent crash of a Bangladeshi fighter jet during a school lunch break has claimed the lives of 31 individuals, most of whom were children, while sparking widespread grief and demands for accountability.
Tragedy Strikes Dhaka as Fighter Jet Crashes into School During Lunch Break
Tragedy Strikes Dhaka as Fighter Jet Crashes into School During Lunch Break
A devastating military jet crash in Dhaka leaves 31 dead, predominantly children, prompting national mourning and calls for thorough investigations.
On Monday, as third and fourth-grade students at Milestone School and College in Dhaka enjoyed their lunch break, tragedy struck when a fighter jet suddenly flipped in midair and crashed into the school building. Witnesses described the explosion as being akin to that of a bomb, with the force of the crash throwing students across the room and igniting a catastrophic fire fueled by the plane's combustibles.
The death toll climbed to 31, including the pilot, primarily consisting of schoolchildren, and over 165 individuals sustained injuries, with a significant number in critical condition. “I saw at least two students flung away by the force,” recounted Abu Sayed Mohammad Waliullah, a teacher present during the disaster, who described his disbelief amid the chaos.
Among the injured, 78 people were reported to be receiving medical treatment in various hospitals. The affected families and communities mourned the loss of young lives, with the nation declaring a day of mourning in memory of the victims. The fighter jet, identified as a Chinese-built F-7 BGI, had taken off from a nearby military base just 12 minutes prior to the incident, leading officials to suggest a possible mechanical failure, with a vow to conduct a thorough investigation following the accident.
In a heartbreaking display of resilience, 18-year-old Mahathir Mohammed Abid, a student who sustained burns while attempting to rescue trapped classmates, spoke of the trauma as he recovered a young student's body. Many students, still reeling from the shock, gathered outside the school, yearning for answers about their missing friends and classmates.
The Milestone School, which services around 10,000 students, could have faced even greater devastation had the crash occurred a mere ten minutes earlier, when more children would have been present indoors for their lunch hour. As the national community now seeks accountability, the stories of loss, trauma, and heroism emerge amidst one of Bangladesh's darkest moments.
