In brief
The devastating crash of a Chinese-built F-7 BGI fighter jet into a Dhaka school during lunch has left 31 people dead, most of whom were young students. The incident, which occurred as children were enjoying their break, has led to both national mourning and widespread outrage. Officials are investigating the mechanical failure that caused the crash, which also left hundreds injured, many in critical condition. Eyewitness accounts detail the chaos and horror that unfolded when the plane struck.
The tragic event took place at Milestone School and College, a busy institution in Dhaka, as students were engaged in their lunch routines on Monday. Abu Sayed Mohammad Waliullah, a teacher at the school, described how the military jet unexpectedly flipped and crashed into the two-story building. The initial explosion was so powerful that it felt like a bomb, followed by a terrifying fire caused by ignited jet fuel. At least 31 lives were lost, including the pilot, and the number of injured reached approximately 165, according to military officials. Of those injured, around 78 remain under critical care in hospitals throughout the city. The heartbreaking scene left families, like that of 8-year-old Raisa Moni, desperately searching for answers amidst the chaos. As authorities report that the jet had launched just 12 minutes earlier from a nearby airbase, residents are demanding answers regarding the mechanical failure that led to this calamity. The tragedy at Milestone School, which serves about 10,000 students, struck during a time when many children were outside enjoying their recess. Had the crash occurred a mere ten minutes earlier, the death toll could have been substantially higher.The Bangladesh government has declared a day of mourning as the nation grapples with the loss. Eyewitnesses, like student Mahathir Mohammed Abid, bravely recounted their attempts to rescue fellow students from the flames. The community remains in shock, as families cling to hope for their loved ones amidst the devastation.
