Bangladesh Air Force trains jets to crash into school, killing 20 people – National
Officials said the Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a school in Dhaka shortly after taking off on Monday afternoon, caught fire and killed pilots, at least 19 others, most of whom were students.
Officials said another 171 students were injured in the slutty two-story building, including many burns, who were driven away by helicopters, motor rickshaws, and weapons from firefighters and parents.
According to a military statement, the Chinese-made F-7 BGI training aircraft experienced a “technical failure” moment after taking off at 1:06 p.m. local time, while pilots tried to move the aircraft to densely populated areas before falling into the campus of milestone schools and colleges.
The school buildings shook violently and then a huge explosion occurred, causing them to run for safety, the students said. Panicked relatives searched for their relatives and soon launched a desperate scene at the crash site. The screams filled the air in a nearby hospital.
The Milestone School is located in the Uttara neighborhood of Dhaka, about 11 km (7 miles) from AK Khandaker Air Force Base. This school is located in a densely populated area near the subway station, with many shops and houses.
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The military said pilot Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam “doed all his might to move the plane from densely populated areas to a more sparse location.”
This is the deadliest plane crash in the capital of Bangladesh in recent memory. In 2008, another F-7 training jet crashed outside Dhaka, killing its pilot, which ejected after discovering technical problems.
The government announced a day of mourning on Tuesday, with the flag flying across the country.
A father sprinted into his daughter’s arms on Monday afternoon at the crash site. A mother cried and found her child, but desperately searched for her older child.
Another father described his helplessness as he waited to learn about his daughter’s fate.
“The plane crashed on the building where my daughter was. My wife called me, but I was praying so I couldn’t pick me up,” Jewelry said at the scene under a name. “When I came here, I saw a fire. There was a child’s body.”
Fortunately, his daughter was safe, he said, but he saw many other children suffering from burns.
The students were still scrambling to see what was going on. “We fought with the crowd and soldiers to get close to the crash site at our school,” said Estiak Elahi Khan, 11th grade. “What I saw is beyond description…it’s too scary.”
Doctors at Uttara Adhunik Hospital said more than 60 students, many of whom were between 12 and 16, were transferred to a special hospital for burn victims.
By Monday night, rescuers continued to search for debris and search for the bodies. A crane is used to remove debris.
Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus also promised an investigation, expressing deep sorrow for the “heartbreaking accident”. He called it a “moment of deep national sorrow.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed shock and sadness. “Our hearts pay tribute to families who have lost their loved ones. India is united with Bangladesh and is ready to expand all possible support and assistance,” Modi said in an article on X.
Rafiqa Taha, a student who was absent from the crash, said by phone that the school has 2,000 students and offers first-year primary school to high school courses.
“I’m scared to watch videos on TV,” the 16-year-old said. “My God! This is my school.”
& Copy 2025 Canadian Press
