In a heartbreaking turn of events, a routine training mission by the Bangladesh Air Force ended in tragedy when a fighter jet crashed into a school building in Dhaka, killing at least 27 people — the majority of them children. The devastating accident occurred on Monday, July 21, and has since been declared the country’s deadliest aviation disaster in decades.
— Abdul Goni/AFP via Getty Images
The ill-fated aircraft, a Chinese-made F-7 BGI fighter jet, went down around midday, crashing into the Milestone School and College just moments after classes had ended. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as children, teachers, and staff tried to flee the wreckage while emergency responders rushed to contain the fire and rescue survivors from the debris.
Among the 27 confirmed dead were 25 students, one teacher, and the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam. Over 170 people were injured, and at least 78 remain hospitalized, according to Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
— Reuters
The Bangladesh military confirmed that the pilot had reported a mechanical failure shortly before the crash and made desperate attempts to steer the aircraft away from densely populated areas. Despite his efforts, the plane slammed into the school’s two-storey building, setting off explosions and a fire that engulfed part of the campus.
“The pilot tried to divert the aircraft, but despite his best efforts, he couldn’t avoid the collision,” said a military spokesperson. An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Heartbreaking images from the scene showed parents weeping outside hospitals and students with bandages and burns being wheeled through emergency rooms. The impact of the tragedy has shaken the nation to its core.
In response, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus declared a national day of mourning on Tuesday, July 22. Flags were flown at half-mast across government buildings, and memorial services are being held in schools nationwide.
President Yunus expressed his condolences in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), calling the loss “irreparable.”
“The grief of the Air Force, the families of Milestone School, and the entire nation is immeasurable. This is a moment of profound pain for all of us.”
As Bangladesh grapples with the aftermath, the focus has turned to supporting victims’ families and ensuring that proper safety and maintenance protocols are enforced to prevent future tragedies.
-Deeprows News
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