Bangladesh Air Force Plane Crash Kills 20; Nation in Mourning

Masum Billah 

In a devastating tragedy, a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Uttara, Dhaka, on Monday afternoon, killing at least 20 people and injuring over 170, many of whom are children. The F-7 BGI aircraft, used for training purposes, crashed just 12 minutes after takeoff.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that the plane, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Md. Tauqir Islam, took off from Air Force Base AK Khandaker at 1:06 PM and encountered mechanical failure shortly thereafter. Despite the pilot's attempts to divert the aircraft from densely populated areas, it ultimately crashed into the two-story school building at around 1:18 PM.

The impact and resulting fire tore through classrooms filled with children from grades two to five, as well as the teachers' room and principal's office, where coaching sessions were also underway. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with parents rushing to the scene and emergency services battling flames and rubble to rescue survivors.

Brigadier General Mohammad Zahed Kamal, Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defense, stated that nine units responded swiftly and managed to control the fire. "We received the first alert at 1:08 PM and launched an immediate rescue operation. The building was partially destroyed, and many of the injured suffered severe burns," he told reporters at the scene.

He confirmed that bodies of 19 victims had been recovered by afternoon, with the death toll rising to 20 by evening, including the pilot. “Most of the deceased appear to be children. Identification is ongoing, and many victims are being treated in hospitals across the city,” Kamal added.

In response to the tragedy, the Bangladesh government declared Tuesday a national day of mourning. Flags will be flown at half-mast across all government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, educational establishments, and Bangladeshi missions abroad. Special prayers will be offered nationwide for the victims.

Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed his heartfelt condolences, calling the incident "an irreparable loss for the nation." In a statement, he said, "I express my deep sorrow over the casualties caused by the crash at Milestone School and College. The loss to the Air Force, students, parents, and teachers is profound. This is a moment of deep grief for the entire nation."

The ISPR also confirmed that a formal investigation has been launched into the crash. They reiterated that the pilot attempted to minimize the damage by steering the aircraft away from more crowded zones.

As rescue efforts continued late into the evening, grief and shock spread throughout the country. Parents, teachers, and fellow students of the victims gathered near the site, praying for the injured and mourning the loss of innocent lives.

This marks one of the most catastrophic peacetime air accidents in Bangladesh’s recent history, sparking fresh concerns over aviation safety and the proximity of training routes to civilian areas.

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