Bangladesh Air Force Jet Crashes Into Dhaka College, Killing 19
Authorities say this is the deadliest air crash the country has experienced in recent years. Among the dead is the jet’s pilot, according to The Associated Press.
Photo/courtesy.
By Robert Assad
Tragedy struck Bangladesh’s capital on Monday morning when a Bangladesh Air Force jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Diabari neighborhood, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 100 others.
Authorities say this is the deadliest air crash the country has experienced in recent years. Among the dead is the jet’s pilot, according to The Associated Press.
The crash sent shockwaves across the nation as flames and smoke engulfed the campus, triggering panic and chaos. Most of the victims were students, with 83 survivors currently receiving treatment in various hospitals across Dhaka. Emergency officials say several are in critical condition.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a deafening sound moments before the aircraft plunged into the school grounds. Within minutes, crowds gathered as emergency crews raced to contain the blaze and pull victims from the debris.
“It was like an explosion. We heard the bang and rushed outside. The sight was horrifying,” said a resident who lives near the college.
Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed his condolences in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter). “This is a moment of profound pain for the nation. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and direct all concerned authorities, including hospitals, to address the situation with the utmost priority,” Yunus wrote.
The government has declared a national day of mourning. State-run BSS News reports that special prayers will be held across the country in memory of those who lost their lives.
The cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed. Officials say an investigation is already underway to determine what went wrong.
This incident raises fresh concerns about safety procedures within the country’s air force and the proximity of high-risk operations to densely populated areas.
Rescue operations continued into the evening, with military and civilian teams working side by side at the devastated site. Many families of students gathered outside hospitals, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.
As the country grapples with this horrific tragedy, messages of support and solidarity are pouring in from leaders and citizens across South Asia.
The school principal and administration have yet to issue an official statement. The government has promised to cover medical expenses for all those injured and support affected families through emergency relief packages.
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