Tragedy struck a school in Dhaka, Bangladesh, when an air force training jet crashed into the Milestone School and College, killing at least 27 people and injuring more than 170 others. The horrifying incident unfolded shortly after 1:00 PM local time when an F-7 aircraft, operated by the Bangladeshi Air Force, reportedly suffered a mechanical malfunction moments after takeoff. The jet, which was on a routine training mission, plunged into the densely populated area, igniting a massive fire and unleashing chaos on the school grounds.
Farhan Hasan, a student at the school who had just completed an exam, described the terrifying moments leading up to the crash. Speaking to BBC Bangla alongside his father and uncle, Farhan recalled standing outside the classroom chatting with friends when the jet came hurtling toward the building. “The burning plane was hitting the building right in front of my eyes,” he said, visibly shaken. “My best friend, the one I was in the exam hall with, he died right in front of my eyes.”
According to eyewitnesses, the two-storey school building erupted in flames upon impact, with thick smoke billowing into the sky. Video footage from the scene shows panicked students, teachers, and parents scrambling for safety as emergency responders rushed to the site. Many of those present were parents who had arrived to pick up their children at the end of the school day, further worsening the scale of casualties.
Flight Lieutenant Md. Taukir Islam, the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft, was among those killed. Authorities stated that the pilot attempted to steer the jet toward a less populated area after discovering the mechanical fault, but the effort was ultimately unsuccessful. A formal investigation has been launched by the armed forces to determine the precise cause of the malfunction.
Teachers at the school recounted the horrifying experience. Rezaul Islam, a staff member, said he saw the jet hit the building directly. Another teacher, Masud Tarik, reported hearing a loud explosion and turning around to see only fire and smoke. The scene quickly descended into chaos as crowds of people ran in every direction, while rescue workers and ambulances tried to navigate the crowded area to evacuate the injured.
More than 50 victims, including many children aged between 9 and 14, were taken to various hospitals across Dhaka. The National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery received the majority of critical burn victims. Shah Alam, the uncle of one young victim, Year 8 student Tanvir Ahmed, stood outside the morgue holding his grieving brother, Tanvir’s father, who was too distraught to speak. “My beloved nephew is in the morgue right now,” he said quietly.
The health ministry reported that seven hospitals in the capital are currently treating victims. Citizens responded to the tragedy with overwhelming support—donating blood, offering medical help, and sharing transportation. Political leaders from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami visited hospitals to show solidarity with the victims and their families.
In response to the national tragedy, Tuesday was declared a day of mourning. Flags were flown at half-mast across government buildings and institutions. Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus expressed his condolences and emphasized the government’s commitment to a thorough investigation. “This is a moment of deep sorrow for the nation. I wish the injured a speedy recovery and instruct all authorities, including the hospitals concerned, to deal with the situation with utmost importance,” he said in a statement shared on social media platform X.
As the nation reels from one of the deadliest aviation-related disasters in its recent history, questions remain over the condition and maintenance of military aircraft. The coming days will likely bring intense scrutiny of air force training procedures and safety protocols. For now, Bangladesh mourns the loss of young lives, teachers, and guardians who perished in an unimaginable catastrophe that unfolded at a place meant for learning and safety.
