Horrifying Aircraft Disaster: School in Dhaka Transforms into an Inferno, Resulting in the Death of 19, Amongst Them Schoolchildren
In a shocking turn of events, a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet, an F-7 BGI used for training exercises, crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in the Uttara neighborhood of Dhaka on Monday afternoon during regular class hours, resulting in a national tragedy.
The disaster has left at least 19 people dead, including students, teachers, and the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Mohammed Toukir Islam. Over 78 individuals are currently hospitalized, with a large percentage of them being children, and at least eight in critical condition.
The military has stated that the crash involved a "technical malfunction" shortly after takeoff from A.K. Khandaker Air Force Base. The pilot attempted to steer the aircraft away from populated areas, but it crashed into the school nonetheless.
The country's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has promised an investigation into the cause of the crash, and a comprehensive technical examination of the fleet of F-7 BGI aircraft has been ordered following the incident.
Bangladesh observed a day of national mourning, and there was a nationwide call for blood donations to support the injured. The government has committed to covering medical expenses for the victims.
Rescue teams and firefighters worked tirelessly for hours to control the fire and look for people trapped under the wreckage. Video footage from the scene showed the burned-out remains of the plane embedded into a school wall, twisted wreckage strewn all over the lawn, and people being taken away by ambulances.
The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has opened an emergency relief campaign, and the Prime Minister's Office has unveiled a list of emergency helpline numbers for families who want updates on missing students or hospitalization.
The families of victims are grieving over this national tragedy. The Milestone School Admin Officer, the Vice Principal, and other school officials can be reached for further information.
This disaster in Dhaka is the second major aviation accident in South Asia in less than two months, following an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that killed 260. The crash of the F-7 BGI fighter jet has reopened a debate on military flight corridors over populous cities.
As the investigation into the Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crash into Milestone School continues, the nation stands together in mourning and support for the victims and their families.
The tragedy has prompted discussions about the placement of military flight corridors over populous areas, particularly in the context of education-and-self-development institutions. Despite the general-news surrounding the aviation accident, this incident has also highlighted the importance of learning and the dangers of accidents.
