A tragic incident unfolded on March 11, 2024, when a military jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Dhaka, Bangladesh, resulting in the loss of at least 27 lives, including 25 children. The Bangladesh Air Force aircraft experienced a mid-air mechanical failure during a routine training mission and slammed into the school just after 13:18 local time (03:18 EST), setting the two-story building ablaze. Onlookers described the scene as one of horror, with young students and parents present as the tragedy occurred.
In the aftermath of the crash, hundreds of students gathered at the school entrance, demanding accountability and answers from officials. Witnesses reported that many of the injured and deceased were children aged between six and 13. The incident has plunged the nation of 171 million residents into mourning, with the government facing scrutiny over its handling of the situation.
As rescue operations continued on March 12, 2024, police and air force personnel sifted through the wreckage, with some students expressing concerns that the official casualty figures might not reflect the true extent of the tragedy. According to state media BSS News, government representatives have denied withholding information about the crash. The identities of the victims are still being confirmed.
Witness accounts from the crash site illustrate the chaos that ensued. “We saw scattered parts of different bodies, of children, guardians,” said Mohammad Imran Hussein, a lecturer at the school. He described the moment the aircraft struck, recalling the unbearable sound of the impact and the sight of flames engulfing the building. Hussein was in a nearby classroom and rushed to help the victims. “It’s like this building was turned into a death trap,” he stated.
The FT-7 jet, designed for training purposes, was reported to have crashed shortly after takeoff. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam, attempted to steer the aircraft away from populated areas to minimize casualties, according to the military. The aircraft was part of a contract signed by Bangladesh for 16 planes in 2011, with deliveries completed by 2013.
Emergency responders transported the injured to local hospitals, where doctors worked tirelessly to treat severe burns. Most of the victims admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital were children, many under 12 years old. The hospital quickly became overwhelmed, with families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.
Bangladesh’s interim government leader, Muhammad Yunus, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “I have no words. I don’t know how to begin,” he said in a video message. He acknowledged the unimaginable nature of the tragedy, stating, “What answer can we give to their parents? What can we possibly say to them?” The devastation of this incident continues to resonate throughout the nation, as families and communities grapple with the loss of innocent lives.
The situation remains fluid as authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash and assess the full impact of this heart-wrenching event.
